tfRCES 


OK 


WEST  VIRGINIA, 


M.    F.    MAURY, 

FELLOW     OF     THE     CEoLOGU'AL    SOCIETY    OF     LONDOXJ     ME.MBE1*    OF    Til 
AMERICAN    INSTITUTE    OF    MINING     EXGiXEEKS;    ASSOCIATE   ( 
THE    ROYAL  SCHOOL  OF  .MINERS,  EXULAM). 


A  N  D 


WM.    M.   FONTAINE,    A.   M 


PREPARED    UNDER   THE    DIRECTION    OF 

THE  STATE  BOARD  OF  CENTEUHIAL  MANA&ERS. 


WHEELING 

THE  KEOISTEB  COMPANY 

1876. 


^>-£>rs 


i*t****r**#** ******** 


RESOURCES 


OF 


WEST  VIRGINIA, 


BY 


M.    F.    MAURV, 

FELLOW     or     THF     ( ;  F.ol,o(,  ic.M.    SorlF.TY    OF    l.OXDOV;    MKHMKK    OF 
A  NU. Kit  AX     IXSTITFTK    OF    MIKlXli     F.X(il  N'KKKS;    AMSO(  fATE    OF 

i'ui:  UOVAL  SCHOOL  <»F  MINFKS,  K.N(;LAND. 
AND 

WM.    M.    FONTAINE,    A.   M., 

PKoFEiSSOR  OF   NATLKAI,   HISToHV  &C..  AT  TIIK  I'MVERSITY  OF  WEST  V1RGIXJ  A , 


PREPARED    UNDER    THE    DTRECTION    OF 

THE  STATE  BOARD  OF  CENTENNIAL  MANAGERS. 


WHEELING 

THE    HKGISTKK  COMPANV 

1876. 


STATE    BOARD    OF    CENTENNIAL    MANA 
GERS   OF  WEST   VIRGINIA. 

HON.  A.  J.  SWEENEY,   Chairman,     .     .      .      .  Wheeling. 

HON.  A.  R.  BOTELER, Shepherdstown. 

O.  C.  DEWEY,  Secretary, Wheeling. 

fl.  W.  FRANZHEIM Wheeling. 

C.  H.  BEALL,  • Brooke  County . 

THOMAS  MASLIN, Moorefield. 

Oh1.  J.  P.  HALE,  Charleston. 


Entered  according  to  act  ol'(  'ongross,  on  1  h«>  201  >i  day  ol  April,  ] 
in  t  In-  orlicc  ol  'the  I, ihi-arian  of  Congress,  at    Washington. 

J5v  A.  .1.  SWKKNKY, 

<  'ha  i  I'll  i  a  1 1  nl  1  In-  Stale  Moan  I  ol  (  Vn  I  en  nial  Managers  of  the 
State  of  West  Virginia. 


To  f/l/.'  Hoiivr'iMr  Mi'mlin-x  of  tin  Senafr  mid  lion*  of  JMiytitw,  <uul  to  7//« 
/•..rirll'-iH-f/  ,/.  ./.  Jncuh,  dart-nun-  of  fin'  State  of  }]'cxt  Virt/inhi  : 
GENTLEMEN  :  The  act  appropriating  $20,000  for  the  purpose  of  exhibit 
ing,  at  the  Centennial  International  Exhibition,  of  1876,  in  Philadelphia, 
the  resources  of  West  Virginia,  and  confirming  the  appointment,  by  the 
Governor,  of  the  State  Board  of  Centennial  Managers  previously  made, 
and  then  in  active  service,  passed  both  Houses  on  the  10th  of  December, 
and  was  approved  by  the  Governor  on  the  14th  of  December,  and  by 
resolution  took  effect  from  its  passage.  The  time  lei't  for  the  collection, 
preparation,  and  arrangement  of  the  various  subjects  of  exhibition,  was 
so  very  short,  the  field  so  extensive,  usual  information  so  entirely  want 
ing,  and  the  people  so  apathetic,  and  so  unappreciative  of  the  real  im 
portance  and  value  of  the  undertaking,  that  the  Board  found  it  necessary 
to  use  extraordinary  exertions,  and  incur  many  expenses  in  prosecuting 
the  work,  and  in  endeavoring  to  realize  their  hope  of  a  creditable  and  re 
munerative1  display  of  the  Minerals, Timber,  etc.,  really  possessed  by  the 
State,  and  as  yet  almost  entirely  unknown  and  undeveloped.  Local  Boards 
were  appointed  in  every  county  in  the  State,  circulars  were  prepared 
and  distributed,  urgent  personal  letters  were  written  to  citi/ens,  and  com 
petent  and  active  young  men  were  engaged,  and  at  once  employed  in  the 
several  departments  of  the  work.  Prof.  M.  F.  Maury,  of  Charleston, 
Kanawha  county,  was  entrusted  with  the  classification  and  arrangement 
of  all  exhibits,  and  assisted  by  Prof.  Wni.  M.  Fontaine,  of  the  Cni verity 
of  West  Virginia,  instructed  to  prepare  for  publication,  all  the  informa 
tion  collected  by  the  Board,  relating  to  the  objects  contemplated  by  the. 
law.  The  result  of  their  labors  is  herewith  submitted.  Mr.  A.  R,  Guer- 
ard,  of  South  Carolina,  and  Messrs.  J.  W.  C.  Davis,  St.  Geo.  Bryan,  and 
Major  If.  .1.  Kchols,  of  Virginia,  were  sent — Mr.  Guerard  to  the  East,  Mr. 
Davis  to  the  Southwest,  Mr.  Bryan  to  the  West,  or  Ohio  River  Division, 
and  Major  Echols  to  the  Kanawha  Valley.  Each  of  these  gentlemen  dis 
charged  the  duties  confided  to  him,  with  the  utmost  diligence,  and  to 
the  entire  satisfaction  of  the  -Board.  It  was  diiiicult  to  have  her  citizens 
anticipate  the  value  of  the  material  results  expected  to  be  hereafter  real 
ised  from  exhibiting  to  the  capitalists  and  people  of  the  world,  the  w.on 
derful  natural  wealth  lying,  and  yet  undeveloped,  within  the  borders  of 


M3755SO 


IV  PREFACE. 

West  Virginia,  and,  while  from  this  cause,  the  efforts  of  our  agents  were 
sometimes  fruitless  in  obtaining  satisfactory  specimens  and  information 
in  many  of  the  counties,  yet,  in  others  they  were  greatly  assisted  by  the 
active  aid  and  co-operation  of  citizens,  sufficiently  alive  to  the  importance 
of  the  occasion,  to  whom  the  Board  desires  generally  to  tender  its  hearty 
thanks.  It  was  deemed  necessary  by  the  Board,  after  due  consideration, 
to  erect  for  West  Virginia  an  exhibition  building,  attached  to  the  "Head 
quarters,"  previously  determined  upon,  in  order  that  she  might  present 
her  collection  as  a  whole,  rather  than  to  have  it  in  so  many  separate 
places  and  buildings,  as  it  would  have  been,  under  the  arrangements 
made  by  the  United  States  Commissioners.  Accordingly,  a  site  was 
selected,  drawings  and  plans  prepared  by  C.  C.  Kemble,  Esq.,  architect, 
of  Wheeling,  and  after  due  advertisement,  contracts  made  with  H.  S. 
White,  of  Belton,  for  the  completion  of  the  buildings  on  the  grounds. 
The  "  Headquarters  "  are  built  entirely  of  the  woods  of  the  State,  finished 
in  their  natural  colors. 

Profs.  Maury  and  Fontaine  have  been  untiring  and  devoted  in  the  dis 
charge  of  their  duties,  and  have  manifested  a  /eal  and  energy  which,  the 
Board  fully  appreciates.  The  Board  regrets  that  (while  not  half  has  been 
told)  the  accompanying  book  has  grown  to  nearly  three  times  the  size 
originally  intended,  but  accepts  the  statement  of  its  compilers  and 
authors,  that  it  is  terse  and  concise,  and  that  nothing  can  be  eliminated 
from  it,  without  injury  to  some  important  interest. 

The  Board  will  present  to  the  Legislature  (at  its  next  meeting),  as 
required  by  law,  a  full  report  of  its  proceedings  and  expenditures.  No 
one  can  now  certainly  determine  whether  the  $20,000,  so  generously  ap 
propriated  by  the  Legislature,  will  be  a  dead  loss  and  a  useless  invest 
ment,  or  whether  it  will  pay  back  to  the  State,  millions,  by  inducing 
capital  and  immigration,  and  so  developing  the  valuable  minerals  and 
the  natural  wealth,  with  which  she  is  so  lavishly  endowed  by  nature. 
Let  us  hope  that  the  latter  may  be  the  result. 

Very  respectfully, 

A..J.SWKKNKY, 
Chun-limn  siatr  /><»<*/•'/  of  Centennial 

O.  C.  DEWEY, 


Hon,  A.  J.  Suvmey,   Chairman  of  the  State  Board  of  Centennial  Managers 
for  West    Virginia : 

SIR:  I  herewith  submit  the  Report  on  the  Resources  of  West  Vir 
ginia,  the  preparation  of  which  was  made  one  of  my  duties  as  Director 
in  Charge  of  the  Centennial  collection  of  West  Virginia. 

As  soon  as  the  appropriation  was  made  by  the  Legislature  for  the 
purpose  of  having  our  resources  represented  at  the  International  Exhibi 
tion,  of  1876,  1  at  once  began  to  take  active  steps  to  collect  information 
from  all  portions  of  the  State  for  the  compilation  of  this  work.  To  this 
end  I  prepared  a  set  of  fifty-one  questions,  on  the  agricultural,  stock- 
raising,  timber,  mineral,  and  industrial  interests,  leaving  blanks  for  the 
answers.  These,  to  the  amount  of  four  thousand  copies,  were  distributed 
in  every  county,  but  I  am  sorry  to  say  that  our  people  generally  took  so 
little  interest  in,  and  seemed  to  have  so  slight  an  appreciation  of,  the 
importance  of  the  work  undertaken  by  the  Board,  that  out  of  that  num 
ber  only  two  hundred  and  fifteen  were  filled  up  and  returned,  and  very 
many  of  those  had  the  questions  answered  so  carelessly  as  to  be  of  no 
value.  In  the  initiatory  steps  in  setting  the  Centennial  "  ball  in 
motion, ':  the  duties  connected  with  my  position,  that  claimed  immediate 
attention,  wrere  so  many  and  so  varied,  that  it  \vas  not  until  the  26th  of 
January,  1876,  that  I  was  able  to  begin  writing  this  report,  although 
it  had  to  be  completed  by  the  1st  of  April.  But  it  could  not  have  been 
finished  then,  or,  in  fact,  for  several  months  afterward,  had  it  not  been  for 
the  untiring  energy  and  invaluable  assistance  of  Prof.  Wm.  M.  Fontaine,  of 
the  University  of  West  Virginia,  who  \vas  specially  detailed,  on  the  1st  of 
February,  by  the  Board  of  Regents  of  that  Institution,  to  the  service  of 
your  Board.  The  many  admirable  chapters  that  appear  under  his  name 
give  most  ample  evidence  of  the  value  of  his  services,  whilst  his  accurate 
knowledge  concerning  the  State,  contributes  largely  to  whatever  effect 
iveness  this  volume  may  possess. 

The  resources  of  West  Virginia  are  so  many  and  so  varied  that  it  is 
impossible,  in  _a  work  of  this  size,  or  in  the  time  that  was  at  my  dis 
posal,  to  make  anything  more  than  a  mere  outline  sketch  of  what  we 
possess.  It  was  my  aim  to  give  every  industry  a  fair  and  impartial 
exhibition.  To  this  end,  not  only  were  the  circulars  of  questions  sent 
out  broadcast,  but  letters  were  written  to  representatives  in  each  indus- 


VI  PREFACE. 

try,  asking  for  certain  specified  points  of  information  that  were  of 
importance.  I  am  sorry  to  say  that  a  large  majority  of  these  elicited 
hut  very  few  of  the  facts  that  \vere  wanted.  s<>  that  if  any  district  of  the 
State,  or  any  hrancli  of  natural  wealth  has  not  received  its  due  consid 
eration,  it  must  l>e  ascribe* I  to  those  persons  and  corporations  that  were 
too  apathetic  to  their  sectional  interests  to  furnish  the  necessary  points. 
To  this,  and  to  the  shortness  of  the  time  in  which  the  book  had  to  be 
completed,  1  hope  yon  will  ascribe  all  the  imperfections  that  may 
appear  in  it. 

Besides  to  Prof.  Fontaine,  I  beg  to  tender  my  especial  thanks  to  the 
other  gentlemen,  whose  names  appear  as  the  authors  of  various  chap 
ters,  for  the  kind  assistance  they  have  rendered.  I  have  also  to  acknowl 
edge  a  great  deal  of  help  derived  from  the  Hand  Book  of  West  Virginia, 
by  J.  II.  hiss  Debar. 

Hitherto,  the  people  of  one  section  of  \Vest  Virginia  knew  but  little 
of  what  was  in  the  Others,  and  had  no  fair  conception  of  what  our  bor 
ders  contained.  For  they,  themselves,  to  bo  schooled  in  this,  is  as 
important  as  for  the  world  at  large  to  have  authentic  information  con 
cerning  onr  young  State,  and  I  consider  that  the  wise  step  that  the  Board 
took  in  disbursing  a  portion  of  the  Centennial  appropriation  in  this 
way,  will  be  of  more  solid,  permanent,  and  substantial  benefit  than  any 
other  that  could  have  been  devised,  and  if  this  report  is  productive  of 
a  more  careful  and  complete  investigation  of,  and  a  livelier  interest  in, 
the  innumerable  advantages  that  "West  Virginia  presents  to  the  success 
ful  prosecution  <>f  all  kinds  of  industries,  I  shall  be  glad  to  have  been 
able  to  render  any  aid  toward  developing  my  adopted  State  and  a 
former  portion  of  my  native  <»nc. 

Very  respectfully, 

M.   F.  MA  TRY. 
Director  in  Charge  of  ///<"  Centennictl  CoUeclwn. 

I*/  AprU,  1870. 


T  A  B  L  E    O  F    C  0  TsT  T  E  J\T  T  8. 


CHAPTER   I. 

TOPOGRAPHY. 

Topography  of  sections  across  the  State.  Canon  Features.  Topograph 
ical  influence  of  the  Coal  Measures.  Topographical  division  of  the 
State.  Character  of  the  Mountain  Region  and  the  effects  of  erosion 
therein.  Effects  of  Erosion  in  and  Structure  of  the  Central  and 
Southern  Portions  of  the  Stale.  Plateau  Region.  Altitudes  of  differ- 
ent -points.  Table  of  Magnetic  Declinations,  pp.  1-22. 

CHAPTER  II. 

CLIMATOLOGY. 

Causes  influencing  our  Climate.  Temperature.  Prevailing  Winds. 
Rainfall  and  melted  Snow.  Fanning  Calendar.  Climatic  records  for 
Marietta,  discussed  hy  the  Smithsonian  Institution,  pp,  2:5-47. 

CHAPTER  III. 

AGRICULTURAL  GEOLOGY. 

Character  of  the  different  Soils.  Character  of  the  different  Hocks.  Posi 
tion,  character  and  soils  of  the  different  Geological  Formations,  pp. 
48-61. 

CHAPTER  IV. 

FARM    PRODUCTS. 

Condition  of  Agriculture.  The  different  drains.  Potatoes,  Sorghum. 
Maple  Sugar,  Tohacco.  Miscellaneous  Crops.  Butter,  Honey,  Fruits, 
Garden  Products.  Grape  Culture.  Statistics  of  Farm  Product-,  pp. 
62^89. 

CHAPTER  V. 

CATTLE  AND  GRASSES. 

Causes  promoting  Grass  Culture  and  Cattle  Raising.  Management  of 
Cattle.  Formation  of  Mountain  Graxing  Farms.  Improved  Cattle. 
Grasses :  Clover,  Red  and  White,  Timothy,  Orchard  Grass.  Statistics 
of  Live  Stock,  etc.  pp.  90-99. 


Vlll  TABLE    OF    CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  VI. 

SHEEP  AND  WOOL. 

Origin  of  the  Merino.  Suitableness  of  soil,  etc.,  for  Sheep.  Compara 
tive  cost  of  wintering  Stock.  Length  of  feeding  period  for  Sheep  in 
different  States.  Facilities  for  exporting  Wool.  Facilities  for  manu- 
fact  uring  Woolen  Goods,  pp.  100-110. 

CHAPTER  VII. 

FOREST  TREES,  SHRUBS  AND  MEDICINAL  PLANTS. 

The  different  Forest  Trees,  with  the  character  of  their  Timber  and  the 
uses  for  it-.  Shrubs,  character  of,  etc.  Alphabetical  enumeration 
of  Medicinal  Plants,  pp.  111-141. 

CHAPTER  VIII. 

TIMBER— ITS  DEVELOPMENT  AND  DISTRIBUTION. 

Amount  of  Timber  Land.  Character  of  the  Timber.  Distribution  of 
Hard  Wood  and  Coniferous  Timber.  Development  of  Timber  in  the 
Eastern  Central  and  Western  part  of  the  State.  Development  of  Tim 
ber  along  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  Railroad;  on  the  Ohio;  on  the 
Little  Kanawha  ;  on  the  Big  Sandy,  etc.  and  on  the  Groat  Ranawha. 
pp.  142-101. 

CHAPTER  IX. 

THE  COAL  FIELD. 

Appalachian  Coal  Field.  General  sketch  of  the  West  Virginia  Coal 
Field.  Potomac  Basin.  Preston  Basin.  Monongahela- Basin.  Coal 
Measures  West  of  Tucker  County  and  Rich  Mountain.  Geological 
Formation  of  the  New  and  Kanawha  Rivers  Coal  Basins.  Coal  Meas 
ures  on  New  River.  Coal  Measures  on  Great  Kanawha  River.  Coals 
of  the  Upper  Coal  Measures  in  West  Virginia,  treated  by  Counties. 
Vespertine  Coals.  Anthracite  in  Berkeley,  pp.  1G2--M4. 

CHAPTER  X. 

THE  QUALITY  AND  VARIETY  OF  COAL  AND  THE  MINING 
ADVANTAGES. 

Advantages  for  mining  coal  in  West  Virginia.  Bituminous  Coal:  char 
acteristics,  special  uses,  and  analyses.  Splint  Coal  area:  character 
istics,  special  uses,  analyses,  rank,  and  locomotive  tests.  Cannel  Coal 
area:  characteristics,  uses,  analyses,  etc.  Cannel  Shale.  Mar 
kets  for  Coal.  Importance  of  West  Virginia  Iron  Ores.  Market  Quo 
tations  of  West  Virginia  Coal.  pp.  215-L)4t>. 

CHAPTER  XI. 

[RON, 

Iron  Ores  found  in  the  Coal  Measures.  Localities,  irregularities  and 
analyses  of  Black  Band  Ores.  Carbonates  and  Oxides  of  Iron  in  the 


TABLE    OF    CONTENTS.  IX 

Coal  Measures,  in  various  counties,  and  analyses.  Ked  Haematites  in 
the  Coal  Measures.  Iron  Ores  in  various  counties  on  Eastern  Bor 
der  of  the  State,  and.  analyses.  ]>)>.  '247 -273. 

CHAPTER  XII. 

SALT  AND  PETROLEUM. 

Principal  localities  of  Salt  Works.  Salt  Works  of  Mason  County,  their 
discovery,  development,  depth,  present  production,  and  general  sta 
tistics.  Discovery  of  the  Kanawha  Salt  "  Licks  "  and  history  of  their 
development  from  that  time  to  the  present  date.  Oil  and  Gas  in 
Kanawha  Salt  Wells.  Manufacture  of  Bromine  from  Bitterns.  Con 
sumption  of  coal  in  Salt  making.  Cost  of  •  producing  Salt.  Cost  of 
Well  Boring.  Consumption  of  Salt  in  United  States.  Advantages  of 
West  Virginia  for  Alkali  Manufacture.  Characteristics  and  rank  in 
market  <>f  Kanawha  Salt.  Wells  and  their  productive  capacity  in  Ka- 
nawha.  Chronological  Table  connected  with  Kanawha  Salt  interests. 
Petroleum  in  West  Virginia.  Future  Oil  Field  of  West  Virginia. 
Regions  producing  "Light"  and  "Heavy"  Oils.  Amount  of  Oil  pro 
duced,  pp.  274-30P. 

CHAPTER  XIII. 

MISCE  LL  ANEOUS  M  IN  ERA  I  ,S. 

Common  Limestone  and  analyses.  Tufas:  their  applicability  to  Agri 
culture.  Hydraulic'  Limestone  and  analyses.  Marbles.  Building 
Stones.  Fire  Clays  and  analyses.  Potters'  Clay  and  Potteries.  Glass 
Sand.  Ochre.]  Barytes.  Manganese.  Saltpetre.  Lead.  Zinc. 
Copper.  Gold  and  Silver,  pp.  310-322. 

CHAPTER  XIV. 

MINERAL  WATERS. 

The  "Springs"  Region  of  West  Virginia.  Varieties  of  Mineral  Waters. 
Thermal  A\raters.  Description  of  the  most  noted  Mineral  Springs, and 
their  Medicinal  Properties.  Analyses,  pp.  323-334. 

CHAPTER  XV. 

TRANSPORTATION. 

Why  Railroads  have  not  been  built  in  West  Virginia,  and  the  draw 
backs  and  advantages  thereof.  Railroads  in  operation.  Railroads 
chartered.  Rivers  improved.  Contemplated  improvements  of  Rivers, 
pp.  335-340. 

CHAPTER  XVI. 

EDUCATION  A  L  IN  TKREHTS. 

Free  Schools  and  Laws  relating  thereto.  Law  relating  to  Normal 
Schools.  Normal  Schools  of  the  State.  West  Virginia  University. 
Colored  Schools.  Catholic  Schools.  Private  Schools.  Kdncatiomil 
Publications,  pp.  347-3^'. 


X  TABLE  OF  CONTENIS. 

CHAPTER  VIL 

DESCRIPTION  OF  INDIVIDUAL 

Showing  the  Soils,  Crop  Yields,  Value  of  Lands,  I>riucij>;il  Industries, 
and  Exports,  Manufactories,  Lines  of  Transportation,  Population, 
Wealth,  and  School  and  Church  Facilities  of  Each  County  in  the  State. 
pp.  3«4-4i>:{. 

INDEX...  425 


IsTOTICim. 


Owing  to  the  shortness  of  time-in  which  this  volume  had  to  be  published, 
the  following  errors  unfortunately  appear  in  the  text,  and  the  reader  is 
requested  to  kindly  correct  them  before  reading : 

Page  78,  line   3,  for  add  to  this  read  add  to  10,800,000  pounds,  the  production  N.  of 
the  Little  Kanau'ha. 
Page   78,  line   5,  for  18,000,500  read  13,500,000. 

114,      "    28,  for  Fag  us  fern  iginea  read  Fay  UK  Ferruyinea. 

"     163,     "     4,  for  12,049,505  read  13,049,505. 

"      163,      "      7,  tor  5  per  cent  read  4.66 per  cent. 

"      164,      "    17,  lor  series  rock*  ivad  x(  ries  of  rocks. 
171,      "    22,  for  fi rst  of  read  first  scam  of. 

"      178,      "    10,  for  protoxide  read  peroxide. 
181,      "      3,  for  does  pay  read  does  not  pay. 

"      199,    table,  for  Black  Flint  JR  dge  read  Black  Flint  Ledge. 

"      200,   table,  for  54  ft.  3  in.  read  56  ft.  3  in. 

'•      209,    line  14,  for  one  read  on. 

"      225,  analyses,  for  Ash  18.73  read  Ash  1.873. 

"      226,  analyses  for  Quinnimont  No.  1,  ^Is/j,  6.15  lead  ,-ls/i  5.8-5. 

"      226,  "         for  Quin 'nmont  No.  2,  Ash  5.57  read  ^4.v7t  5.0f>. 

"      237,    line  14,  for  J.  J/.  #«.  JoTm  read  1.  M.  St.  John. 

"      252,      "    26,  for  cacarcous  rea^d  calcareous. 

"      260,      "    20,  for  iron  ore  read  iron  ore  in  workable  quantities. 

11      264,      "    29,  for  Nov.  25  read  No.  25. 

"      267,      "      9,  for  mined  read  tni.<  cd. 

41      294,      ••      1,  for  1.200  read  1200. 

t;      318,      "      7,  for  frequently  read  apparently. 

"      318,      "     last  for  is  read  «re. 

"      32^3,      "    16,  for  Acidulous  read  Acidulous. 

"      343,      "    14,  for  Marae  read  Marea. 

"      343,      <;    30,  for  connecting  read  collecting. 

"      351,      "      1,  for  thereafter  read  thereof. 

"      372,      "      8,  for  in  read  ////o. 

"      373,      "    33,  for  12  months  read  10  months. 

'*      383,      <;    36,  for  Hhephcrdstouin  read  Charlf.^ncn. 

"      385,      "    33,  for  exports  read  markets. 

"      389,      "    15  and  l»i,  for  YY/i  read  /<T«Ve. 

"      389,      "    24,  for^ne  read  >Y/-e. 

"      :{90,      "    20,  for  SIOCO  to  J15WJ  read  1*250  to  $300. 

"      392,      "      2,  lor/,  ir.  C. />am- ro:ul  .7.  Hr.  C.  Dtu-is. 

"      394,     "    39,  for  it  read 


CHAPTER  I. 

TOPOGRA  PHY. 

BY  WM.  M.   FONTAINE. 

In  dealing  with  the  topography  of  West  Virginia,  we  can 
give  little  more  than  general  statements.  Few  moasuroments 
of  altitudes  are  in  existence,  and  the  limited  time  allowed  for 
the  preparation  of  this  hand-book,  will  not  permit  even  these 
to  he  procured  and  digested. 

It  will,  perhaps,  give  a  better  general  idea  of  the  topography 
of  the  country,  if  we  select  for  examination  one  of  the  streams 
which  rise  on  the  eastern  edge  of  the  State,  near  the  Allegheny 
mountains,  and  flow  westward  into  the  Ohio.  Such  a  stream, 
when  followed  from  its  m  outh  to  its  source,  will  take  u.-: 
across  the  entire  width  of  all  the  various  surface  features  to  be 
seen  in  that  region.  For  it  mast  1)3  note:!,  that  areas  with 
similar  topographical  features,  have  their  greatest  dimensions 
along  lines  running  N.  E.  and  S.  W.,  here  as  elsewhere  in  the 
Appalachian  region. 

In  this  connection  we  must  call  attention  to  the  fact,  that 
north  of  the  Little  Kanawha  no  considerable  stream  flows 
directly  into  the  Ohio,  after  taking  its  rise  in,  or  near,  the 
Alleghanies.  In  this  part  of  the  State,  the  streams  rising 
near  the  mountains  flow  X.W..N.,  and  N  E.,  and  go  into  the 
Monongahela  and  Potomac..  South  of  the  Little  Kanawhn. 
all  the  streams  go  more  or  less  directly  west,  into  the  Ohio, 
^passing  entirely  across  the  State. 

If  we  draw  a  N.  \V.  line  from  Pocahontas  to  Tyler  county, 
on  the  Ohio,  this  would  nearly  separate  the  streams  flowing 


RESOURCES   OF   WEST    VIRGINIA. 

westward  from  those  flowing  northward.  Along  this  line  an 
important  change  in  the  geological  structure  takes  place. 
This  is  more  fully  noted  elsewhere.  It  is  sufficient  to  say 
here,  that  south  of  this  line  we  may  consider  the  country 
as  tilted  towards  the  northwest,  while  north  of  it  the  surface  is 
thrown  into  folds,  lyin-jj  closer  together  on  the  east,  and  open 
ing  out  on  the  west,  when  at  the  same  time  a  general  north 
ward  slope  is  determined.  This  causes  the  important  change 
scon,  in  the  direction  of  the  rivers. 

\Ve  may  now  describe  the  changes  of  surface  to  he  seen 
along  one  of  the  east  and  west  flowing  rivers.  For  our  pres 
ent  purpose,  no  stream  is  better  suitable  than  the  Kanawha, 
and  its  continuation  in  the  Xew  and  Greenbrier  rivers.  The 
features  s^eh  along  this  line  are  to  be  found  on  any  of  the 
streams  which  pursue  a  similar  course.  Such  are  the  Big 
Sandy,  Guyandotte,  Gauley,  Elk,  and  Little  Kanawha. 

Commencing  then,  on  the  Ohio,  and  proceeding  eastward, 
we  note  the  following  facts: 

In  the  vicinity  of  the  Ohio,  as  we  enter  the  Kanawha,  we 
are  accompanied  by  hills  of  moderate  height  (200 — 300  feet), 
with  gentle  slopes,  and  placed  more  or  less  widely  apart,  hav 
ing  extensive  bottoms  along  the  river,  and  other  indications 
of  a  surface  composed  of  soft  and  easily  worn-down  material. 
These  features  accompany  us  for  a  long  distance,  until  we 
approach  Charleston.  As  we  near  this  point,  the  lulls  become 
higher  and  higher,  with  more  precipitous  slopes  and  nar 
rower  valleys.  At  the  same  time  they  close  down  on  the  river 
nearer  and  nearer. 

.hissing  Charleston,  the  same  features  continue,  the  hills 
gaining  in  height  along  the  river  until  they  reach,  in  the 
vicinity  of  Coaisburg,  the  altitude  ofXOOfect  above  the  stream. 
They  continue  to  rise  gradually,  until  near  the  Falls  they  at 
tain  the  height  of  1,10!)  je»t.  At  the  Falls  the  river  passes 
into  that  part  of  its  course  marked  by  canon  features,  and 
from  this  point  takes  the  name  of  Xew  river.  A  little  back 
Ironi  the  immediate  banks,  the  hills  rise  into  quite  lofly  moun 
tains,  attaining  in  (Jan  ley  mountain  the  height  of  1,800  to 
I .'.)()()  feel,  above  the  river. 

The  canon    features   at  (end    Xe\v    river    to    beyond   <v>uinni- 
mont.  a  dislance  of  more  than    10  mile-.      The^e  are  caused  by 


RESOCKCES    OF    WEST    VIRGINIA. 

the  rise,  above  the  water  level,  of  the  massive  sandstones  of 
the  conglomerate  series,  which  will  be  more  fully  described  in 
another  connection.  Wherever  the  rivers  arc  flowing  through, 
and  over,  this  series,  especially  its  upper  portion,  they  pre 
sent  much  the  same  character.  In  such  cases  they  are  walled 
in  by  high  hills,  or  precipitous  cliffs,  which  rise  almost  im 
mediately  from  the  water's  edge,  leaving  no  bottoms  or  low 
grounds.  The  beds  of  the  streams  are  rugged,  and  choked 
with  great  masses  of  stone,  fallen  from  the  cliffs  above, 'while 
continual  rapids  and  falls  combine  to  give  them  still  more  of 
the  character  of  mountain  torrents.  Such  a  conformation  has 
given  to  New  river  its  well-known  reputation  for  wildness  and 
ruggedncss.  But  in  these  features  it  is  even  surpassed  by  its 
southern  neighbors,  the  Guyandotte  and  l>ig  Sandy. 

While  such  wild  and  rugged  scenery  is  presented  along  the 
immediate  banks  of  the  streams  in  this  area  occupied  by  the 
conglomerate,  the  case  is  very  different  when  we  ascend  the 
the  inclosing  hills.  It  is  thus  seen  that  the  rivers  are 
really  flowing  in  deep  trenches,  far  below  the  general  plane  of 
the  country.  This  general  plane  is  determined  by  the  upper 
surface  of  the  conglomerate  series,  which  continues  to  rise^to 
the  east,  at  an  average  rate  of  50  feet  to  the  mile.  As  a  conse 
quence  of  this  state  of  things,  the  conglomerate  rising  faster 
than  the  rivers  fall,  the  dills  which  border  them  become  higher 
and  higher,  and  the  general  surface  more  elevated,  as  we  pro 
ceed  east,  until  the  upper  surface  of  the  conglomerate  series  is 
carried  so  high  in  the  air,  that  it  has  been  broken  down  and 
removed  by  the  action  of  the  elements. 

This  plane,  determined  by  the  upper  surface  of  the  conglom 
erate,  is  dotted  over  with  hills,  which  do  not,  in  their  general 
aspects,  differ  from  those  seen  elsewhere  over  most  of  the  State. 
Many  of  them  rise  to  a  considerable  height,  owing  to  special 
agencies,  which  have  acted  to  preserve  them.  Where  their 
conglomerate  base  has  risen  to  a  considerable  height,  they  at 
tain  above  tide  an  elevation  which  would  by  no  means  be  sus 
pected  by  an  inspection  of  their  altitude  above  their  bases. 
Such  elevations  are  those  of  Bier  Scwell,  Cherry  Pond,  and 
Guyandotte  mountains,  &c. 

The  conglomerate  base  continues  to  rise  as  above  described, 
until  it  makes  its  last  appearance  on  the  east  in  the  Great  Flat 


UKSOTKL'ES    OF     WKST    VIRGINIA. 

Top,  tuid   White  Oak  mountains.       Here  it   has  attained  the 
elevation  of  2,S(K)  to  ^.WO  feet. 

Passing  beyond  the  lino  of  these  mountains,  near  Hint-on, 
and  following  the  Grcenhrier  river  eastward,  we  find  the  general 
plane  of  the  country  greatly  lowered,  the  canon  features  lost, 
and  the  surface  presenting  general  features  like  thoso  seen 
below  Charleston.  This  continues  until  we  approach  the  White 
Sulphur,  on  the  eastern,  border  of  Greenbrier,  when  we  meet 
for  the  first  time  the  long  parallel  folds  of  the  Alleghany  moun 
tains. 

If  now  we  take  a  similar  course  from  west  to  east  in  the 
northern  part  of  the  State,  we  will  find  a  different  topography. 
There  is  no  rise  of  the  general  plane  of  the  country  to  tlieeast 
in  this  quarter,  for  the  conglomerate  is  too  deeply  buried,  and 
its  thickness  has  become  too  much  diminished.  Commenc 
ing  on  the  Ohio  in  the  northern  part  of  Wetzel,  and  pro 
ceeding  east  across  Monongalia,  to  the  west  border  of  Preston, 
we  find  no  essential  difference.  On  the  Ohio,  the  hills  are 
higher  here  than  at  the  mouth  of  the  Kanawha,  since  they 
reach  the  height  of  500  and  GOO  feet  above  the  river.  In 
Wetzel  they  rise  still  higher  above  their  valleys,  but  in  Monon 
galia  they  again  show  the  same  altitude  as  on  the  Onio.  On 
the  west  border  of  Preston,  we  meet  in  Laurel  Hill,  the  most 
we.sterly  of  the  parallel  fold.-  of  the  Alleghany  system,  and 
thence  these  are  continued,  growing  closer  and  higher,  as  we 
proceed  eastward. 

A  bird's-eye  view  of  the  Ohio  river,  would  show  it,  throuuh- 
out  much  of  its  course,  flowing  between  high,  sharp-backed 
hills.  These  are  higher  in  the  north,  lower  in  the  middle,  and 
higher  again  in  the  southern  part  of  its  course. 

In  order  to  understand  the  topography  of  a  country,  we  must 
know  its  geology.  For  the  rocks  which  underlie  the  soil,  form 
the  materials  out  of  which  the  surface  features  have  been  carved, 
and  their  varying  hardness,  and  proneness  to  disintegration, 
will  determine  the  shapes  finally  assumed.  We  will  then,  in 
this  connection,  briefly  describe  some  of  the  more  important 
geological  formations,  solely  in  their  topographical  relations. 
The  formations  which  have  had  by  their  presence,  the  most 
influence  on  the  topography  of  our  State  are  the  following, 
beginning  with  the  highest  and  latest  formed.  1.  The  Upper 


RESOURCES    OF    WEST    VIRGINIA.  0 

Barren  Measures,  and  Productive  Coals.  2.  The  Lower  Barren 
Measures,  and  Productive  Coals.  3.  The  Conglomerate  Series. 
4.  The  I'mbral  Shales  and  Lim:;4one.  -5.  The  Vespertine1, 
Shales.  \Ve  may  omit,  in  this  connection,  the  consideration 
of  the  other  formations,  reserving  their  description  for  another 
topic,  since  they  compose  a  comparatively  small  portion  of  our 
area. 

The  Upper  Barren  Measures,  and  Pro  luctive  Coals,  are  every 
where  in  the  state,  m  linly  soft  crumbling  rocks,  such  as  shales, 
and  shaly  sandstones,  which  are  eauly  worn  down  and  removed 
by  rains  and  running  streams  Tiny  are  greatly  thickened  in 
the  northern  part  of  the  State,  but  in  passing  South,  become 
comparatively  unimportant.  Whenever  they  are  present,  ow 
ing  to  the  readiness  with  which  they  are  worn  away,  they 
produce  high,  conical,  or  rounded  hills,  \\ith  deep,  narrow 
valleys,  forming  an 'irregular  net- work  of  streams.  These 
streams  rarely  have  much  bottom  land,  but  it  is  not  uncommon 
to  find  the  hills  with  broad,  flat  summits. 

The  Lower  Barren  Measures,  and  Productive  Coals,  in  the 
northern  part  of  the  State,  are  comparatively  thin,  and  do  not 
differ  materially  in  their  structure  and  topography  from  the 
overlying  series  first  described.  But  in  the  south,  there  is  a 
very  material  change.  The  series  becomes  greatly  thickened, 
and  there  is  a  much  larger  proportion  of  firm,  massive  sand 
stones  in  it,  especially  towards  the  lower  portion.  As  the  top 
ographical  effects  of  these  sandstones  are  in  general,  the  same 
with  those  of  the  conglomerate  series,  we  need  not  consider 
them  separately.  It  will  be  sufficient  to  say  that  the  change 
in  the  topography,  described  above,  as  seen  in  approaching 
Charleston  from  the  Ohio  river,  is  due  to  the  rise  of  these  rocks 
above  water  level.  The  conglomerate  series,  in  the  northern 
portion  of  the  State,  is  comparatively  quite  thin,  and  is  so 
deeply  buried  under  the  productive  coal  measures,  that  it  has 
no  effect  on  the  topography.  It  is  first  seen  in  Laurel  Hill 
rising  above  the  surface,  and  from  that  point  eastward,  it  has 
an  important  influence  on  the  surface  contours,  entering  mainly 
into  the  mountain  ridges.  It  is  here  principally  massive  sand 
stone. 

In  the  south,  on  the  contrary,  we  iind  it  greatly  thickened, 
and  elevated  to  the  surface  over  broad  areas.  Along  New  river, 


0  RESOURCES    OF    WLiST    VlICdINIA. 

and  southward,  it  has  a  threefold  structure,  being  massivesand- 
stone  lit  bottom,  more  shaly  and  easily  eroded  strata  in  tlic 
center,  and  on  top,  again  massive  sandstone  of  great  thickness. 
Throughout  the  series  massive  sandstones  predominate.  The 
influence  of  this  series  combined  with  that  of  the  more  massive 
portions  of  the  Lower  Productive  Coals,  has  had  an  exceedingly 
important  e licet  on  the  topography  of  the  central  and  eastern 
portions  of  the  State.  This  is  in  large  part  due  to  the  highly 
siliceous  character  of  many  of  these  sandstones,  which  lias 
enabled  them  to  resist  in  a  remarkable  manner,  degradation 
and  removal  by  running  streams.  Such  sandstones  are  inde 
structible,  except  by  undermining  and  throwing  down  the 
ledges,  and  this  process  of  undermining,  is  what  has  tilled  the 
streams  [lowing  in  this  formation,  with  the  huge  masses  of 
stone  which  we  see.  Especially  is  this  true  of  the  uppermost 
ledge,  which  is  usually  over  150  feet  thick. 

("nderlving  the  conglomerate  series,  we  have  the  umbral 
shales  and  sandstones,  followed  below  by  the  umbra,!  limestone. 
These  shales  and  sandstones  are  generally  soft  and  easily  cut 
away,  while  much  of  the  limestone  beneath  is  more  resistent. 
Hence  the  country  having  these  rocks  on  the  surface,  is  usually 
much  lower  than  that  occupied  by  the  conglomerate,  they  hav 
ing  been  cut  away  much  more  rapidly.  We  find  these  strata 
over  much  of  the  country  lying  to  the  east  of  the  conglomerate, 
which  as  stated  above,  makes  its  last  appearance  in  White  Oak, 
Klk  Knob,  and  Flat  Top  mountains. 

The  last  formation  to  be  mentioned  here,  is  the  upper  mem 
ber  of  the  Vespertine,  which  is  formed  of  crumbling  red  shales, 
and  these  even  more  readily  than  the  shales  of  the  umbral,  are 
broken  down  and  removed.  These  form  the  only  other  rock 
composing  the  surface  of  Mercer,  Monroe,  and  (hvcnbrier,  besides 
t  lie  above  named. 

For  the  purpose  of  top  ^graphical  description,  we  may  divide 
the  State  into  two  Regions,  in  which  the  surface  features  pre 
sent  important  differences,  and  are  due  to  the  action  of  essen 
tially  different  causes.  Our  dividing  line  must  be  somewhat, 
arbitrarily  selected.  It  may  be  taken  as  follows  : 

T.egi lining  in  the  north,  it  commences  in  Laurel  Hill,  on  the 
west  border  of  Preston,  and  is  thence  continued  south,  in  the 
mountain  of  that  name,  on  the  western  border  of  Barbour: 


RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA. 

thence  in  Rich  mountain  in  Randolph;  Gaulcy  and  Greenbrier 
mountains  in  Pocahontas;  the  Main  Alleghany  near  the  White 
Sulphur;  and  lastly  Peter's  mountain  in  the  southern  part  of 
the  State.  The  country  between  this  line  and  the  Ohio  river 
may  be  styled  The  Hijh/  R-'fjiin,  and  that  lying  to  the  oust  nf 
it,  The  Mountain  Region. 

It  must  be  borne  in  mind  that  this  division  is  not  founded 
on  altitude,  alone,  but  also  on  considerations  which  will  be 
presently  given.  Indeed,  contrary  to  what  the  titles  might 
suggest,  the  elevation  of  much  of  the  hilly  region,  is  above 
that  of  a  portion  of  the  mountain  region. 

In  that  section  which  we  have  styled  the  Hi'ly  E"ifi»n.,  and 
which  comprises  much  the  larger  part  of  the  State,  arc  to  be 
found  those  peculiar  topographical  features,  which  have  given 
our  State  considerable  celebrity.     Leaving  out  of  view,  for  the 
present,  the  special  features  which  mark  the  canon  portions  of 
the  streams  in  the  south,  and  the  country  wherever  the  con 
glomerate  has  attained  a  considerable  height  alv>ve  the  rivers, 
we  may  briefly  describe  them  as  follows:  First,  we  note  a  vast 
multitude  of  hills,  sometimes  closely  placed,  and  rising  imme 
diately  from  the  V  shaped  depressions,  in   which  the  streams 
(low;  again,  sloping  more  gently,  with  considerable  bottoms  at 
their  base,  spreading  out  into  flat-topped,  gently  undulating 
plains  on  their  summits;  or  again,  expanding  into  elevations 
attaining  the  dignity  of   mountains.       Locking  across  such  a 
region,  it  often  presents  nothing  but  a  succession  of  such  hills 
and  valleys.      As  a  rule,  these  succeed  each  other  in  no  partic 
ular  order, 'but  occur  just  as  the  streams,  turning  hither  and 
thither,  to  avoid  some  harder  rock,  carved  them  out.     Occa 
sionally  the  out-crop  of  some  more  indestructible  stratum,  has 
determined  the  direction  of  a  line  of  elevations,  or  a  remnant 
of  a  harder  overlying  mass,  has  along  certain-determinate  linos. 
preserved  the  underlying  softer  material  from  erosion,  and  so 
left  more  or  less  connected  ridges  and  mountains.     These  are 
the  general  features  presented  by  the  elevations  in  the  softer 
strata  of  the  productive  coals,  and  in  the  similar  rocks  under 
lying  the  conglomerate  series.     The  special  modifications  pro 
duced  by  this  latter  series,  will  be  noted  further  on. 

Again,  as  might  be  inferred,  the  streams  in  the  above  described 
districts,  are  marked  by  the  great  irregularity  of  their  courses. 


S  RESOI-RCES  01-   WEST  VIRGINIA. 

They  (low  to  every  quarter  of  the  compass,  but  all  finally  make 
their  way  westward,  or  northwestward  into  the  Ohio.  These, 
as  well  as  all  the  streams  in  the  State,  are  remarkable  for  the 
grout  depth  to  which  they  have  cut  their  channels.  Here, 
however,  although  the  valleys  are  deep,  and  narrow,  they  have 
none  of  the  canon  features,  but  the  bordering  hills  may  be 
cultivated  to  their  tops,  though  often  too  steep,  and  with  a  soil 
too  light,  to  render  frequent  ploughing  advisable. 

In  all  this  hilly  region,  the  surface  features  arc  entirely  the 
work  of  erosion.  The  rains  and  running  streams  have  cut- 
lofty  hills  and  veritable  imuntains  oat  of  the  gently  sloping, 
and  often  almost  horizontal  strata,  having  removed  a  truly 
astounding  m:iss  of  in  it  "rial  by  their  slow,  ever-wearing  flow. 
Indeed,  when  one  thinks  over  the  vast  amount  of  wear  that 
the  surface  of  our  state  exhibits,  he  is  tempted  to  speculate 
about  a  period  when  the  rains  were  far  heavier,  and  the  streams 
more  powerful,  than  at  present ;  a  pariocl  when  the  land,  new 
ly  raised  from  the  carboniferous  seas,  was  exposed  as  a  lofty 
barrier  to  the  sweep  of  westerly  winds,  laden  with  moisture 
from  extensive  seas  penetrating  into  the  land,  far  boyond  the 
present  Gulf  of  Mexico. 

THE    MOUNTAIN  REGION. 

We.  will  now  turn  to  the  inspection  of  the  topography  of 
the  mountain  region.  Omitting  the  counties  of  Berkeley  (in 
part)  and  Jefferson ;  this  region  includes  all  east  of  the  line 
described  as  the  eastern  boundary  of  the  hilly  region.  Here, 
also,  we  find  stupendous  monuments  of  the  levelling  powers 
of  the  atmospheric  agencies,  but  these  have  not  been  the  only 
forces  at  work  in  this  district  in  modelling  the  hills  and  val 
leys,  as  was  the  case  in  the  hilly  region. 

The  surface  of  this  part  of  the  State,  when  first  upheaved 
and  exposed  to  denuding  forces,  was  thrown  into  long  paral 
lel  elevations  and  depressions,  running  in  a  X.  E.  and  S.  W. 
direction.  These  folds,  on  the  the  e  ist  border  of  the  State,  are 
comparatively  close  together  and  narrow.  Going  west,  they 
widen  out,  and  become  more  distant,  until  before  reaching  the 
Ohio  they  become  imperceptible.  As  will  bu  noted  under  the 
head  of  Agricultural  Geology,  the  strata  which  compose  these 
folds,  are  alternations  of  soft  yielding  rocks  mid  massive  sand- 


RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA. 

stones,  among  which  latter,  the  conglomerate  series  above  de 
scribed,  plays  no  unimportant  part. 

In  the  easternmost,  and  more  sharply  folded  flexures,  the 
stiff,  unyielding  sandstones,  were  along  the  crest  lines  of  the 
ridges,  where  the  strain  was  greatest,  hurst  asunder,  and  bro 
ken  to  fragments,  exposing  the  next  succeeding  soft  strata 
below. 

When  now  these  elevated  ridges,  or  anticlinals,  were  ex 
posed  to  the  wearing  action  of  rains  and  torrents,  these 
stripped  off  all  softer  material  from  the  summits,,  and  left 
bare  the  arches  of  massive  standstone,  with  their  fractured 
crowns.  The  surface  waters  working  their  way  along  these 
fractures,  soon  reached  the  softer  material  below.  Here  their 
progress  was  more  rapid,  and  by  cutting  down,  and  undermin 
ing  the  walls  on  either  side,  they  have  finally  excavated  chan 
nels  of  greater  or  less  width. 

Such  has  been  the  history  of  the  formation  of  many  of  the 
narrow  parallel  valleys  in  the  northeastern  counties  of  the 
State,  and  more  particularly  in  Randolph,  and  Pendleton. 
Where  the  process  above  described,  has  been  carried  on,  on  an 
extensive  scale,  we  see  the  river  now  flowing  in  a  narrow  val 
ley  between  two  mountain  walls.  This  is  the  case  with  Ty- 
gurt's  Valley  river  in  Randolph.  Where  less  complete,  we  find 
the  stream  flowing  on  the  top  of  a  mountain,  and  still  cut 
ting  its  way  down  in  the  massive  standstone,  as  in  the  case 
of  the  some  of  the  Forks  of  Cheat. 

Again,  in  the  originally  depressed  portions,  or  synclinal 
valleys,  which  being  less  elevated  have  suffered  less  from  ero- 
sion,  we  find  streams  flowing  in  like  manner,  between  moun 
tain  chains,  and  it  is  easy  to  see  how  the  waters  would  have 
gathered  in  such  valleys.  Synclinal  valleys  may  be  distin 
guished  by  the  fact  that  the  rocks  dip  from  both  sides  to 
wards  them,  while  in  the  case  of  valleys  of  the  former  class, 
or  anticlinal  valleys,  they  dip  away  from  them  on  both 
sides. 

It  often  happens  in  the  mountain  region  which  we  are  de 
scribing,  that  that  the  arches  and  folds  are  too  broad  to  be  crack 
ed  along  their  crest  lines.  Then  they  often  afford  on  their 
summits,  flat,  or  gently  undulating  surfaces,  which  are  called 
Glades  by  the  inhabitants,  but  which  are  simply  tablelands  of 


10  RKSOrRCES    OF    \VKST    VIIJCTNIA. 

greater  or  less  extent.  This  feature  is  more  common  when  the 
huge  unyielding  masses  of  the  conglomerate  series  enter  into 
the  structure  of  the  country.  Wo  also  find  the  anticlinal 
valleys,  with  their  canon-like  features,  more  commonly  where 
the  conglomerate  is  present.  This  rock  is  extensively  ex 
posed  in  the  mountain  region/ 

Such  are  the  general  features  presented  in  the  two  regions 
into  which  we  have  divided  the  State,  and  such  were  some  of 
the  special  circumstances  which  modified  erosions  in  the 
mountain  district,  and  which  had  to  be  first  described,  before 
any  general  view  could  be  taken  of  the  effects  of  erosion  over 
the  State  elsewhere. 

We  are  now  prepared  to  take  such  a  view.  In  order  to  do 
this,  let  us,  in  imagination,  travel  back  to  that  remote  period 
at  the  close  of  the  carboniferous  age,  when  the  land  which  now 
forms  our  State,  was  first  elevated  above  the  waters.  The  ele 
vating  force  was  a  lateral  one,  acting  from  the  S.  E.  It  seems 
to  have,  in  the  county  north  of  Pocahontas,  thrown  the  strata 
into  ridges  and  depressions,  as  above  described.  While  the 
mountain  ranges  in  the  east,  no  doubt,  rose  to  great  heights, 
there  is  no  reason  to  suppo.-e  that  the  country  westward  par 
took  of  a  corresponding  elevation.  The  disturbing  force 
M'lMns  to  have  exhausted  itself  in  producing  the  folds. 

South  of  Pocahontas,  the  case  was  different.  Here  the  en 
tire  country  from  the  east  border  of  the  State  to  the  Ohio  river, 
seems  to  have  been  elevated  in  one  mass,  pivoting  on  that 
river,  as  a  hinge-line,  and  causing  a  surface  sloping  to  the  N. 
W.  towards  that  stream. 

This  mass  of  elevated  country  was  composed  in  the  main  of 
the  strata  Ave  have  previously  described.  \Vhile  now  the  rocks 
in  the  folded  mountain  region,  were  undergoing  the  change 
described  above,  let  us  see  what  would  take  place  in  the  coun- 
Iry  to  the  W.  and  S.  of  this  section.  In  the  northern  part  of 
the  State,  as  we  have  seen,  we  have  a  thick  mass  of  crumbling 
shales,  and  argillaceous  sandstones,  of  the  Upper  Barrens,  and 
Productive  Coals.  These  being  but  comparatively  little  eleva 
ted,  remain  still  in  groat  force,  not  having  been  so  extensively 
exposed  to  the  denuding  effects  of  the  elements.  In  these 
strata  the  streams  aio  still  flowing,  and  in  their  great  thickness 


RESOURCES    OF    WEST    VIRGINIA. 

M 

and  comparative  softness,  we  find  the  origin  of  the  topograph 
ical  features  seen  in  this  part  of  the  country. 

In  the  description  of  the  topography  along  the  New  River, 
we  have  seen  that  the  conglomerate  series  rose  as  we  passed 
eastward,  at  the  average  rate  of  50  feet  to  the  mile.  We 
are  now  able  to  see  why  this  is  so.  This,  with  the  over  and  un 
derlying  series,  were  all  carried  up,  and  given  a  slope  X.  W.  in 
the  central  and  southern  portions  of  the  State. 

Hence  all  these  rocks,  followed  from  west  to  east,  rise  in  suc 
cession  above  water  level. 

Tn  our  description  of  the  several  scries,  the  fact  was  noted  that 
the  lower  portions  of  the  Lower  Barren  measures,  and  Lojvet 
Coals,  contained  much  massive  sandstone,  and  that  these  pro 
duced  much  the  same  topographical  effects  as  the  conglomer 
ate.  These  rise  above  the  level  of  the  streams  near  Charleston. 
Drawing  a  X.  E.  and  S.  AY.  line  through  this  point,  all  the 
country  between  that  and  the  Ohio  river,  is  formed  out  of 
strata,  which,  in  their  topographical  effects,  resemble  those  in 
the  north  of  the  State,  and  hence  along  the  Ohio  river,  wo 
have  a  pretty  wide  belt,  occupied  by  high  hills  and  narrow 
valleys,  which  have  lost  comparatively  little  of  their  original 
height.  , 

The  case  is  different  as  we  go  east  of  Charleston.  We  have 
seen  how  the  topography  changes  as  the  massive  sandstones 
of  the  lower  coals  and  conglomerate  occupy  the  country.  Let 
us  now  see  how  these  rocks  have^  modified  the  topography  in 
this  portion  of  the  State. 

When  first  raised  above  the  waters,  the  central  and  southern 
portions  of  the  State,  formed  a  great  plane  sloping  from  the  east 
to  the  northwest.  This  was  covered  with  the  comparatively 
incoherent  strata  ot  the  higher  members  of  the  carboniferous 
system,  supported  on  the  massive  plates  of  sandstone,  forming 
the  lower  portions.  In  the  east  this  complex  system  was 
lifted  high  in  the  air,  and  exposed  to  the  full  effects  of  the  ele 
ments.  In  these  higher,  and  more  easterly  portions,  the 'softer- 
overlying  portions  were  soon  stripped  off,  the  harder  conglom 
erate,  was  reached  and  this,  too,  was  broken  down  and  re 
moved.  Xow  the  work  of  erosion  going  on  in  the  soft  under 
lying  umbrul  strata,  was  carried  on  with  comparative  rapidity. 


12  RESOURCES    OF    WEST    VIRGINIA. 

* 

This  was  the  extreme  stage  reached,  and  up  to  this,  we  have 
all  the  graduations  of  degradation. 

Thus,  in  some  parts  of  our  eastern  border,  the  country  has 
been  worn  down  through  the  umbral  sandstones  and  shales 
until  the  more  resistent  umbral  limestone  has  been  reached. 
This  has  caused  the  exposure  of  this  limestone  over  parts  of 
Greenbrier  and  Monroe.  Again,  the  red  umbral  rocks  have 
not  been  removed  in  other  parts,  and  we  find  them  alongside 
the  limestone,  overspreading  much  of  the  two  counties  named 
above,  as  well  as  of  Summers  and  Mercer.  Scattered  here  and 
there  in  these  counties,  portions  of  the  conglomerate  have 
escaped  destruction,  and  by  their  presence,  have  preserved  from 
removal  the  umbral  strata  which  lay  under  them.  Hence  we 
find  these  remnants  standing  out  as  mountains,  capped  by 
sandstone,  in  a  region  of  limestone  and  red  shales.  Of  this 
character  are  many  of  the  mountains  in  the  counties  above 
named,  such  as  Elk  Knob,  Muddy  Creek,  Meadow,  Yew  Moun 
tains,  &G.  These  usually  contain  in  their  summits  only  the 
lowest  strata  of  the  conglomerate,  the  middle  coal  bearing  por 
tions  having  been  carried  off.  The  degree  of  erosion  described 
above  as  h'aving  taken  place  in  this  region,  accounts  for  the 
comparatively  small  altitude  of  the  district,  which  does  not 
exceed  2,000  feet. 

•In  some  parts,  along  the  we^t  bor.br  of  this  region,  the  ero 
sion  has  been  less  complete.  Tiie  base  of  the  conglomerate, 
and  even  the  central  coal  bearing  portions,  remains.  Incon 
sequence  of  this  state  of  things,  we  find  along  the.  Blue  Stone 
River,  and  in  the  east  face  of  Flat  Top  Mountain,  on  the  west 
border  of  Mercer,  workable  beds  of  coal. 

From  this  point,  looking  westward,  we  are  confronted  by  the 
eastern  outcrop  of  the  conglomerate  series,  which  is  here  all 
present,  and  rises  in  an  unbroken  wall,  forming  the  level 
topped  mountains  which  bear  in  our  state  the  names  of  White 
Oak,  and  Flat  Top,  anil  in  Tennessee  that  of  the  Cumberland. 
The  tops  of  these  mountains  are  formed  by  the  massive  plates 
of  the  highest  strata  of  the  conglomerate,  and  from  this  point 
westward,  these  continue  unbroken,  inclining  towards  the 
Ohio  as  before  stated,  with  the  average  dip  of  50  feet  per  mile. 

In  the  crests  of  these  mountains,  which  rise  to  the  height  of 
2,800  to  3,000  feet,  all  the  softer  overlying  strata  have  been 


RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA.  13 

. 

removed,  and  the  basal  conglomerate  is  exposed  ;  but  as  this 
sinks  towards  the  Ohio,  we  find  a  thicker  and  thicker  cover 
ing  of  productive  coal  strata,  until  at  last  the  conglomerate 
series  sinks  below  the  water  level  a  short  distance  east  of  the 
Falls  of  the  Kanawha.  Throughout  this  area  the  presence  of 
this  massive  system,  in  the  hills,  has  exerted  a  predominant 
influence  on  the  topography.  We  have  seen  that  so  long  as 
the  rivers  are  flowing  in  this  series,  they  possess  canon  fea 
tures.  We  have  described  these  features,  and  noted  the  pecu 
liar  relations  which  the  channels  bear  to  the  general  level  of 
the  country. 

The  region  of  country  now  underlaid  by  the  conglomerate, 
when  first  exposed  to  the  elements,  lost  rapidly  its  upper  softer 
strata,  and  this  loss  was  in  direct  ratio  to  the  elevation  of  the 
strata.  Accordingly,  as  stated  above,  along  the  eastern  out 
crops  we  find  them  more  or  less  removed,  and  a  greater  amount 
remaining  in  the  lower  western  portions. 

The  descending  waters  in  cutting  down  through  the  produc 
tive  coal  strata,  produced  in  this  region,  as  everywhere  else, 
where  these  rocks  are  present,  that  system  of  hills  and  valleys, 
already  described,  and  hence  wherever  these  coal  measures  re 
main  on  the  conglomerate,  they  give  the  surface  that  undula 
ting  character  mentioned  as  found  in  the  country  along  the 
canon  portions  of  the  rivers.  But  when  once  the  upper  surface 
of  the  conglomerate  was  reached,  the  general  degradation  of 
the  surface  ceased,  since  the  eroding  power  of  the  rains,  and 
smaller  streams,  was  too  feeble  to  effect  it.  As  a  consequence, 
the  upper  massive  beds  of  this  series,  determine  the  general 
plane  of  the  country.  The  larger  streams  when  once  they  had 
cut  their  channels  into  these  beds,  deep  enough  to  confine  their 
waters,  had  their  eroding  power  immensely  increased.  En 
closed  by  walls  of  massive  rock,  their  entire  force  was  exerted 
in  scouring  out  their  bottoms.  Thus  they  cut  their  narrow 
channels  deeper,  and  deeper,  while  the  general  level  of  the 
country  remained  unaltered.  While  this  was  going  on,  the  sur 
face  drainage  from  either  side,  over  the  enclosing  walls,  unlike 
what  occurs  in  ordinary  streams,  could  not  plane  down  the  hard 
sandstones  which  compose  them,  and  hence  they  usually  stand 
up  in  cliffs  close  to  the  channel.  The  usual  methods  by  which 
these  sandstones  were  thrown  down,  seems  to  have  been  by 


14  RESOURCES    OF    WEST    VIRGINIA. 

undermining  them.  The  streams  that  enter  the  rivers,  almost 
always  do  so  at  the  water  level,  and  almost  never  by  cascades. 
But  if  we  follow  them  a  short  distance  up  their  gorge-like  pas 
sage  ways,  we  soon  find  them  passing  into  rapids  and  cascades. 
The  low  level  of  their  mouths  seems  due  to  the  undermining 
action  of  the  river,  aiding  the  erosion  of  the  tributary. 

It  is  somewhat  singular  to  find  that  the  larger  streams,  as  a 
rule,  have  exerted  but  little  action  in  wiiening  their  channels, 
even  when  they  reached  the  softer  central  portions  of  the  con 
glomerate.  They  have  generally  cut  their  way  straight  down. 
This,  however,  is  not  always  the  ca:<e.  In  some  cases  the 
streams,  on  reaching  their  central  portions,  which  are  occu 
pied  largely  by  shaly  rocks,  have  ceased  almost  entirely 
their  downward  action,  but  have  cut  laterally  on  each  side, 
throwing  down  the  massive  ledges,  and  forming  wide  and 
beautiful  valleys  in  which  the  fall  of  the  stream  is  almost  im 
perceptible.  Of  this  character  are  the  so-called  marshes  of 
Coal  river,  in  the  southern  part  of  Raleigh  county.  This  is  a 
deep  valley,  10  to  12  miles  wide,  excavated  in  the  central  por 
tion  of  the  conglomerate  scries,  and  lying  between  the  Guyan- 
dotte  mountains  and  the  Raleigh  plateau.  Here  the  water  is 
almost  stagnant,  having  no  very  perceptible  flow.  Of  a  simi 
lar  character  are  the  Flats  along  the  Meadow  river,  to  which 
the  name  of  this  stream  is  due.  These  remarkable  flats  lie  in 
the  western  edge  of  Greenbrier  county,  near  Big  Sewell  moim-x 
tain.  They  are  more  than  2500  feet  above  tide,  or  more  than 
two  hundred  feet  higher  than  the  summit  of  the  Alleghany 
near  the  White  sulphur  Springs  in  Greenbrier  county.  Major 
Chas.  Ellett  says  of  these  meadows,  "Within  the  space  enclos- 
"  ed  by  several  mountains,  such  as  Big  Sewell,  Little  Sewell, 
"Laurel  mountain,  Mea.low  mountain,  Keeney's  Knob,  etc.; 
'•are  found  the  "Meadows'5  of  Meadow  river,  one  of  the  prin- 
"  cipal  tributaries  of  the  Gauley.  These  meadows  are  exten- 
"sive  "Glades,"  throng])  which  flow  the  waters  of  numerous 
"  streams  which  descend  from  the  neighboring  mountains  and 
"  which,  passing  through  portions  of  the  meadows,  one  by  one, 
"unite  to  form  the  Meado«v  river,  which  name,  however,  is 
"borne  by  one  of  these  smaller  streams.  Those  extensive 
"flats  present  the  appearance  of  the  bottom  of  an  exhausted 
"lake.  They  are  as  level  as  a  graded  lawn,  so  level,  indeed, 


RESOURCES  OF  WEST  VIKHTNIA.  15 

k>  that  it  is  found  difficult  to  drain  them.  The  width  of  these 
"glades  is  extremely  irregular,  sometimes  not  over  500  yards, 
"  and  again  opening  out  to  two  miles.1" 

In  this  region,  Major  Ellett  proposed  putting  his  reservoir 
lake,  to  supply  the  Kanawha  and  Ohio  rivers  with  water  in 
their  low  stages.  The  surveys  made  here  in  connection  with 
that  scheme,  showed  the  great  elevation  above  tide  of  these 
flats,  viz:  2,543  feet. 

Such  are  the  features  occasionally  presented,  caused  by  the 
action  of  erosion  on  the  middle  members  of  the  conglomerate. 
They  are,  however,  exceptions. 

From  what  has  been  said  above,  concerning  the  effectual 
resistance  opposed  by  the  upper  surface  of  the  conglomerate, 
to  the  wearing  down  of  the  general  plane  of  the  country,  it  is 
easy  to  see  that  wherever  this  has  attained  a  considerable  alti 
tude  above  tide,  it  will  give  to  the  country  the  character  of  an 
elevated  plateau.  The  eastern  border  of  this  elevated  plateau 
is  in  the  White  Oak  and  Flat  Top  mountains,  and  in  aline 
drawn  in  their  prolongation  in  a  N.  E.  direction.  Here,  the 
level  has  risen  to  the  altitude  of  2,800  to  8,000  feet,  and  more. 
To  the  east,  the  country  falls  off  into  the  lower  plateau  of 
Greenbrier  and  Monroe,  which  has  the  height  of  2,000  to  2,200 
feet,  owing  to  causes  above  explained. 

On  the  western  side,  we  may  assume  as  the  limit,  a  N.  E. 
and  S.  W.  line,  drawn  through  the  Hawk's  Nest  on  New  river. 
Here  the  upper  surface  of  the  conglomerate  is  521  feet  above 
the  river,  or  1,272  feet  above  tide.  All  the  country  between 
these  lines,  i.  e.  the  eastern  parts  of  McDowell,  Wyoming, 
Raleigh,  Fayette,  Nicholas,  and  Webster,  may  be  styled  the 
Plateau  Region.  Much  of  it  is  flat  or  gently  undulating,  giv 
ing  rise  to  the  so-called  Glades.  Along  the  principal  rivers, 
the  general  level  falls  off  by  precipitous  slopes,  until  their 
beds  are  reached.  This  high  belt  of  country  is  studded  over  by 
hills  and  mountains,  which,  owing  to  the  great  height  of  the 
plane  from  which  they  rije,  attain  an  altitude  above  the  .sea, 
which,  as  we  have  before  stated,  one  would  by  no  means  sus 
pect.  As  an  illustration  of  this  fact,  w&  may  mention  here  the 
heights  of  a  few  points  in  this  region,  and  for  comparison  the 
height  of  the  Alleghany,  in  the  vicinity  of  the  White  Sul 
phur.  This  latter,  is,  according  to  Ellett,  2,325  feet  above  tide. 


10  RESOtTRCES   OF   WEST    VIRGINIA. 

The  surface  of  the  conglomerate,  which,  as  we  have  before 
stated,  determines  the  plane  of  the  country,  is  at  Quinnimont 
on  Xew  river,  in  the  vicinity  of  Big  Sewell,  according  to  Mr. 
S.  F.  Morris,  2,610  feet  above  tid£.  Big  Sewell,  according  to 
Mr.  S.  C.  McCorkle,  of  the  coast  survey,  is  3,500  feet  above  tide. 

No  reliable  measurements  have  been  made  of  the  lofty  Cherry 
Pond,  and  Guyandotte  mountains,  between  Raleigh  and  Wyom 
ing,  but  estimates  on  Avhich  some  reliance  may  be  placed,  make 
them  fully  4,000  feet  high,  and  shows  them  to  be  among  the 
very  highest. 

There  is  a  remarkable  elevated  region  near  the  junction  of 
Randolph,  Pocahontas,  Pendleton,  and  Highland  counties, 
which  merits  a  particular  description.  Unfortunately,  meas 
urements  of  the  altitudes  in  this  quarter  are  rare. 

An  inspection  of  the  map  will  show  that  in  this  compara 
tively  limited  area,  nearly  all  the  important  rivers  of  the 
State  take  their  rise,  as  ;vell  as  the  James  and  Potomac,  of  Vir 
ginia.  These  rivers  flow  to  every  quarter  of  the  compass,  ex 
cept  directly  east.  Owing  to  this  fact,  it  might  be  suppposed, 
without  measurements,  that  here  we  should  find  some  of  the 
highest  land  west  of  the  Alleghanies.  This  supposition  is 
confirmed  by  such  measurements  as  we  have,  which  give  in 
Panther  Knob,  Pendleton  county,  the  highest  point  in  the 
State,  which  has  been  actually  measured.  For  this,  Mr.  Mc 
Corkle  gives  4,000  feet.  This,  as  will  be  noticed,  does  not 
surpass  the  estimated  height  of  Cherry  Pond,  or  Pond  moun 
tain,  in  Raleigh.  The  height  of  the  stream  beds  in  this  sec 
tion  is  put  at  2400  to  2600  feet.  If  we  we.re  to  pass  planes 
tii rough  the  level  of  the  headwaters  of  these  streams,  and  con 
tinue  them  at  water  level,  until  they  issue  from  the  State, 
they  would  cut  out  the  greater  part  of  the  circumference  of  a 
cone,  whose  apex  would  be  2500  feet  above  tide,  and  its  base 
from  500  to  600  feet. 

Having  given  the  above  general  description  of  the  sur 
face  features  of  our  State,  with  the  explanation  of  some  of  the 
causes  producing  them,  we  may  now  turn  our  attention  to  the 
altitudes  of  diil'orent  points  so  far  as  these  have  been  measured. 
The  farthest  pninfs  south,  for  which  we  have  measurements, 
are  situated  on  the  line  of  the  Kanawha  river,  and  the  Ches. 
&  0.  R.  R.,  these  follow  below. 


RESOURCES   OF   WEST    VIRGINIA.  1? 

The  level  of  the  Ohio  river,  at  the  mouth  of  the  Kanawha, 
according  to  the  latest  and  most  reliable  nleasurenlents,  ob 
tained  by  combining  the  measurements  of  the  U.  S.  Engineer 
Dep?t,  for  the  height  of  the  Kanawha  at  Charlesto'ri,  with  the 
known  fall  of  the  river  to  its  mouth,  is  509  feet  above  mean 
tide.  The  Kanawha,  at  Charleston,  according  to  the  the  U.  »S. 
Kng.  Corps  measurements,  is  556  feet  high.  Vineyard  hill, 
6  miles  above  Charleston,  is  1236  feet.  The  river  at  the  mouth 
of  Paint  creek,  570  feet.  Hills  at  that  point,  1550  feet.  River 
at  Hawk's  Nest,  751  feet.  Hawk's  Nest  Cliff,  1272  feet.  Gau- 
ley  mountain  near  Hawk's  Nest,  2600  feet.  New  river  at  Quin- 
niinont  1165  feet.  Cliffs  at  that  point,  2610  feet.  New  river 
at  Hinton,  1364  feet.  White  Oak  mountain  near  that  point, 
2800  to  3,000  feet,  (estimated.)  Big  Sewell,  according  to  McCor- 
kle  3500  feet.  Meadow  mountain  2719,  (Ellett,)  Grconbrier 
river,  at  Greenbrier  bridge,  1584.  Plateau  of  Meadow  river, 
according  to  Ellett,  2548.  White  Sulphur  Springs  2,000  feet. 
Alleghany  mountains,  between  Crow's  and  White  Sulphur, 
2320  feet.' 

For  the  elevations  in  the  northern  part  of  the  State,  along 
the  line  of  the  Wash.  &  0.  R.  R.,  see  list  furnished  by  Mr. 
McKenzie,  Pres't  of  that  road;  for  those  along  the  line  of  the 
Bait.  &  0.  R.  R.,  see  list  furnished  by  Mr.  Randolph.  Chief 
Eng'r  of  that  road.  Measurements  on  the  line  of  the  W.  &  <). 
R.  R.  were  only  given  as  far  as  Cheat  river,  in  the  list  fur 
nished. 

On  the  western  border  of  the  State,- along  the  Ohio  fiver, 
we  may  note  the  following.  The  height  of  the  river  at  Wheel 
ing  is  645.4  feet.  In  the  vicinity  of  Wheeling,  and  for  a  con 
siderable  distance  down,  the  hills  are  high,  being  500  and  GOO 
feet  above  the  river,  and  1200  to  130')  feet  above  tide.  They 
decline  in  altitude  as  we  approach  Parkersburg,  and  from  that 
point  to  Point  Pleasant,  where  they  are  not  more  than  100  to 
200  feet  above  the  river,  and  600  to  700  feet  above  tide.  In 
the  south,  where  the  river  leaves  the  State,  its  elevation  is  less 
than  500  feet,  as  it  is,  at  the  mouth  of  the  Kanawha,  only  50!) 
feet.  The  hills  here  are  higher,  being  formed  out  of  the  more 
massive  strata  of  the  lower  coals.  They  are  200  to  300  feet 
above  the  river,  and  700  to  800  feet  above  tide. 


18  KESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA. 

The  approximate  elevation  of  different  parts  of  the  State, 
may  be  given  as  follows  : 

A  N.E.  and  S.W.  line  parallel  to  the  general  course  of  the 
Ohio  river,  and  drawn  through  a  point  about  G  miles  east  of 
Charleston,  would  pass  over  a  region  having  an  elevation  of 
1200  to  1300  feet  above  tide. 

A  second  line,  having  a  similar  direction  to  the  first,  and 
drawn  through  the  western  part  of  Fayette,  would  pass  over  a 
region  having  a  general  altitude  of  1000  to  1700  feet.  A  third 
line,  having  the  same  general  direction,  and  drawn  through 
the  eastern  part  of  Raleigh,  would  pass  over  a  district  having 
the  elevation  of  2000  to  2700  feet. 

A  fourth  line,  passing  through  the  plateau  of  Monroe  and 
Greenbrier,  and  thence  through  the  longitudinal  valleys, 
in  the  eastern  part  of  Randolph,  would  have  an  altitude  of 
2,000  to  2,200  feet. 

The  following  are  the  heights  on  the  line  of  the  Washing 
ton  and  Ohio  Railroad  as  far  west  as  the  Forks  of  Cheat : 

ELEVATIONS  ON   THE  LINE  OF  THE!  W.  &  O.  E.  R. 

Winchester 7l>(>  feet 

Locklmrt's  Gap 890  feet 

Capon  Springs   Divide !,:'>-•">  fwt 

Lost  River 1,240  feet 

Baker's  Hun  Divide T,9.'JS  1'eet 

South  Branch  .Mountain -J4S  feet 

Moorlield 800  feet 

N.  Fork  of  the  Potomac 1,000  fe-'t 

Summit  of  the  Alle^rhanies :>,±27  feet 

Pry  Fork  of  Cheat 2,100  feet 

The  following  elevations  were  determined  on  the  Paddy's 
(« sip  line  of  survey  for  this  road.  This  line  lies  considerably 
south  of  the  line  on  which  the  measurements  above  given 
were  determined  : 

Paddy's    Divide,   the  dividing   riduv    between    Frederick  and 

Hardy L\00',)  feet 

Ore  I  Junk 1,780  feet 

Rocky  Rid-e ; 1,S40  feet 

Thorn  Bottom * 1,470  feet 

Sandy   Rid-v '2,i\:\i\  f«'«-t 

Lost  'River 1,400  feet 

South    Brunch   .Mountain :U  14  feet 

Mooriield...  SOU  feet 


RP:SOURCES  OF  WEST  VIRGINIA. 


19 


The  following  is  the  list  of  elevations  along  the  line  of  the 


Baltimore  and  Ohio  Railroad,  in  W.  Virginia 


JEltmtions. 

Slat  inn*,  <<•<'.  A.  M.  T. 

Mill's  ("reek    Viaduct,    at 

Cumberland.  Md 039.0 

Rowling's  Station 098.0 

Black  Oak  Bottom  Station      735.!) 

Crossing  of  Potomac  <2 
spans  of  150  feet  each)..  780. 

West  abutment  of  New 
Creek  Bridge,  sit  Key- 
scr 797.71 

TMedniont 919.39 

Crossing  Potomac  (3  spans 
of  50  feet  each 999. 

Opposite     Ch  urch ,     at 

Bloom  ington 1, 037.05 

Frankville  Station 1.099.22 

S  wanton  AVater  Station....  2,282.21 

Altamont 2,(520. 

Deer  Park 2,441.8 

Little  Youghioghenv  Riv 
er  Bridge '. 2,397.07 

Oakland 2,372. 

( 'assidy's  Summit 1,855.27 

E.  portal  Kingwood  Tun 
nel,  (length,  4,132  ft.)-.-  1,819. 

W.  portal  Kingwood  Tun 
nel 1,778.7 

E.  portal  Murray's  Tun 
nel *. 1,554. 

Xewburg 1.215.3 

Hook's  Run 1,104. 

Road    to   Morgantown  at 

Independence  1,157.9 

Helvitia  Station 1,109.7 

Bridge  over  Raccoon  Cr'k 

(5  spans.  25  ft.) 1.105.4 

Thornton  Station 1,037.9 

Water  Station,  No.  5<),  at 

Thorn's  Run 1,032.4 

Three  Fork  Creek  bridge, 
(2  spans  of  50.  and  1  of 
25ft.) 1,020.2 


987.2 
9S4.2 

978.2 


Grafton 

Fctterman 

Plum  Run  Bridge 

ATalley  River  Falls  Station 

(water  station  01) 

Xuzum's  Mill  Station <>30.2 

Texas  Station 8S3.i> 

Benton's  Ferry 883.2 

Monongahela  Bridge -S77. 2 

Fairmont 877.2 

Water  Station,  No.  03,  at 

Barnesville 871.2 

Bridge  over  Buffalo  Cr'k..     890.9 
Barracks  ville ....  901 . 


Elevatiohs, 

Sftifions,  ttv.  A.  M.  T. 
Little  Youghioo-heiiy  Riv 
er  Bridge '. 2,370.8 

<  irral  Yonghiogheny  Riv 
er    Bridge.../. '. 2.371.00 

Summit  above  Chisholm's  2,480.0 

Mutton's  Switch 2,477. 

Marysville  Station 2,428. 

Bridge  across  N.    Fork    of 

Snowy  Creek 2,409.2 

Cranberry  Summit  Station  2,548.7 

Cranberry  .Summit 2,550.087 

E.    Portal    of    McGuire's 

Tunnel.. 2,382.4 

Rod  smer's  Tunnel 2,083.:; 

Bridge    over     Salt     Lick 
Creek  at  Amblersburg..  1,019.1 

Cheat  River  Bridge 1 .392,4 

Rowlesburg 1,392.4 

Buckeye  Run  Viaduct 1.515.5 

Trav  Run  Viaduct 1.572. 


1,720.4 
910.5 
022.5 


jBuckhorn  Run  

ifDavis  Run 

'Dunkard's  Mill  Run 

Farmington 927.2 

i Wood's  Run <>5<u;7 

Mannington 9(i(i.!» 

Glover's  Gap  Station 1,047.2 

Burton's  Station 1,000.37 

E.  portal  of  upper  Eaton's 
Tunnel 993.2 

E.  portal  of  Lower  Eaton's 

Tunnel 902. 

Littleton  Station 930. 

AV.  portal  of  Board  Tree 

Tunnel 1,077. 

Belton  Station 88(5.5 

E.  portal  of  AVelling  Tun 
nel 1,201.8 

AV.  portal  of  AVelling  Tun 
nel  

Opposite  engine  house  at 
Cameron  Station 

E.  portal  of  Shepard's 
Tunnel 

Rosby's  Rock  Station 

Opposite  Rosby's  Rock.... 

Moundsville 

Opposite  Kate's  Rock • 

McMicken's  Run 

Opposite  station  house  at 

Ben  wood 048.5 

WheelihgCreek  at  Wheel 
ing.....". 045.4 

Fourth  and  John's  Sts....       050.2 


1,193. 
1,049.2 

838.5 

773.2 

786.7 

040.00 

664.3 

664.8 


20  RESOURCES   OF   WEST   VIRGINIA. 

The  above  are  the  elevations  along  the  line  from  Cumber 
land,  Maryland,  to  Wheeling,  West  Virginia.  The  following 
are  those  on  the  line  from  Harper's  Ferry  to  Cumberland  : 

ELEVATIONS     FROM    HARPER'S    FERRY    TO    CUMBERLAND, 

MARYLAND. 


Elevation*, 
Skit  him,  cCr.  .1.  3/.  T. 


>er's  Ferrv 


— 11 . 


Snyder's  Summit oOO.<) 

Opecquan  River 40:>.75 

Tnscarora  Creek  Bridge...  '&)'>. 

Martinsburg 425. 

Tabb's  Summit 547.5 

"Fabler's  Suinniit 540. 

Cherry  Run :>})S.J> 

Sleepy  Creek  Bridge 410.5 

Warren  Spring  Run  oppi- 

site  Hancock 42S.5 

Sir  John's  Run 4:>4.5 


Elevation*, 

Station*,  cCr.  A  ..)f.  T. 

Cacapon '..  440.5 

Doe  Gully  Tunnel 5 is. 

Little  Cacapon 5:>  I . 

South  Branch 550. 

Green  Spring  Run 54X.S 

Dan's  Run  Bridge 5(i.">. 

Patterson's  Creek 5(>x. 

Potomac  River <i04.5 

Evitt's  Creek UI5.7 

\Yest  side  of  .  Baltimore 
Street  at  Cumberland, 

Md...  <>:','.). 


The  following  extracts  from  a  rep-jrt  addressed  to  the  Super 
intendent  of  the  Coast  Survey,  by  S.  C.  McCorkle,  assistant  on 
the  Coast  Survey,  were  kindly  furnished,  and  are  here  pre 
sented.  They  will  explain  themselves. 

"  Fi-mu-ARY  1-lth,  1S70. 
"  C.  P.  Patterson,  Superintendent  I'n'itcd  Nates  Good  Survey'. — 

"SIR:  *  *  *  Beginning  with  Pendleton  county  in  West  Virginia, 
"  near  the  headwaters  of  the  North  Fork  of  the  Potomac,  is  Panther  Knob, 
"  said  to  be  the  highest  point  in  the  vicinity.  In  about  the  same  latitude 
"on  the  Alleghany  range,  is  .Paddy's  Knob,  in  the  corner  of  Bath  and 
"Highland  counties,  Virginia,  and  Pocahontas,  West  Virginia.  From 
"here  the  mountain  falls  gradually  to  the  south  and  west,  some  thirty 
"  milt's,  rising  again  at  the  Salt  Pond  Mt.,  in  Giles  county.  Hay  Stack 
u  Knob,  near  the  line  of  Pocahontas  and  Randolph  counties,  on  the  south 
"  end  of  the  Cheat  Mountain  Range,  and  near  its  junction  with  the(ireat 
"  <  rreenbrier  mountains,  is  said  to  be  the  higliest  point  west  of  the  Alle- 
"  ghanies,  and  north  of  the  Greenbrier  river.  South  and  west  of  this 
"  we  luive  the  (Jreat  Greenbrier,  the  Yew,  Big  and  Little  Scwell  monn- 
"  tains,  including  Cold  Knob,  and  Job's  Knob,  and  ending  with  Kecncy's 
"Knob,  which  is  about  two  miles  north  of  the  Greenbrier  river,  in  Snm- 
"  i ncrs  and  Greenbrier  counties. 

'•  From  these  mountains  north  of  the  river,  there  is  a  gradual  decline 
"  from  3,500  feet  above  tide  to  700  feet  on  the  <  )hio  river. 

"  Powell's  mountain,  in  the  northern  part  of  Nicholas  county,  falls  oil' 
"to  the  Elk  river,  and  from  t hence  to  the  Ohio,  in  a  succession  of  hills 
"  and  plains,  the  average  height  of  the  hills  being  1,1'OM  to  1,500  feet. 

"The  higliest  elevations  (in  this  vicinity,  autlur,)  will  be  found  in 
"  Jack's  Bend  oi  the  Elk  river,  and  between  the  Forks  of  the  Big  .Sandy 
"  creek. 


RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA.  21 

"South  of  the  Kanawha  river,  in  the  counties  of  Fayette,  Raleigh, 
"  Wyoming,  Boone,  and  Logan,  are  some  very  high  mountains,  the  prin- 
"  eipal  of  which  is  called  the  Great  Flat  Top  mountains,  near  the  head 
"waters  of  the  Coal  river,  and  1  believe,  in  the  Guyandotte  range,  (this 
"is  wrong,  they  meet  at  right  angles — Author),  hut  i  have  not  explored 
"  south  of  Coal  river. 

"In  the  vicinity  of  the  headwaters  of  Loup  and  Paint  creeks,  the  Hr- 
"  vatioii  is  near  2,700  feet  ahove  tide.  'West  of  this  will  he  found  a  suc- 
"  cession  of  sharp  peaks,  varying  but  little  in  height,  the  highest  being 
"  1,700  feet,  and  the  lowest  on  the  Ohio  GOO  to  700  feet. 

"  I  append  some  elevations  obtained  with  compesaating  aneroid  barom- 
"  eter,  and  give  them  for  what  they  are  worth.  Good  enough  for  reeon- 
"  naisance,  but  not  entirely  reliable. 

"Signed,  •' Si'KxcKit  C.  MtCoiiKLK." 

APPROXIMATE  ELEVATIONS  ABOVE  SEA  LEVEL,  IN  WEST 
VIRGINIA,  OBTAINED  WITH  CONPENSATING  ANEROID 
BAROMETER,  IN  1874-1875. 

Pendleton  County,  Panther  Knol  > 4,000  feet 

Bath  and  Highland,  Ya.,  and  Pocahontas,  W.  Va.,  Paddy's  Knob  :>,:>00  " 

Randolph  and  Pocahontas,  Hay  Stack  Knol  > 3,800  " 

Pocahontas  and  Greenbrier,  Briery  Knob 3,<iOO  " 

Summers  and  Greenbrier,  Keeney's  Knob l>,700  " 

Fayette,  Big  Sewell ;>,.~>00  " 

Greenbrier,  Lewisburg 2,200  " 

Fayette,  Payne's  Mountain 2,700  " 

Nicholas,  Summersville  Mountain 2,000  " 

Kanawha  (south),  Table  Rock  Mountain 1,700  " 

Kanawha  (north),  Gibson's 1,200  " 

Lincoln,  Mud  Creek  Mountain 1,700  " 

Cabell,  back  of  Huntington 700  " 

The  county  of  Morgan,  and  the  western  part  of  Berkley, 
belong  to  the  mountain  region,  but  the  eastern  part  of  Berk 
ley,  and  all  of  Jefferson,  can  be  included  in  neither  of  the  grand 
divisions  which  we  have  made  in  the  State.  They  partake  of 
the  character  of  the  Great  Valley,  extending  S.  W.  into  Vir 
ginia,  and  have  a  rolling,  or  gently  undulating  surface,  with 
an  altitude  of  700  to  SOOfeet  above  tide.  The  following  heights, 
given  by  Mr.  McKenzie,  may  be  added  here. 

Wilson's  Gap,  on  the  Blue  Ridge,  between  Jclicrsoii  and  Lou- 

doun ],44.">  feet 

Keyes'  Gap,  in  the  same  range ',)(>()    " 

For  the  convenience  of  surveyors  and  civil  engineers  in  dif 
ferent  parts  of  the  State,  the  following  table  of  Magnetic  Decli 
nations,  is  appended. 


22  RESOURCES   OF   WEST    VIRGINIA. 

Magnetic  Declinations  for  different  points  in  the  State,  deter 
mined  in  1864,  by  Assistant  Mosman,  of  the  Coast  Survey  : 

.Lat.  Ijong.  DfcTn. 

Clarksburg,  AV.  Va 39°  16'.9      80°  20'.4'      —0°  30'.:?  in  J. 

Wheeling. 40°  O4'.l       80°  43'.«      —2°  00'. 5     u 

Parkersburg 39°  Ki'.O      81°  34'2.      — 1°  17'.6    " 

Mt.  Pleasant 38°  50'.5      82°  OS'.S      —  1°  34x.n     " 

South  Point,  Ohio 38°  2.V.2       82°  3r/.4       —1°  o2x.O  in  F. 

(irafton,  W.  Va 39°  20X.(>      80°  Olx.7       --1°  52X4.  in  J. 

Charleston,  AV.  Ya 38°  21/.3      81°  38x.O      —0°  37'.3  in  M. 

Cumberland,  ^Id 39°  3iK2       78°  45'.4       --1°  31X.9     " 

Cameron,  \V.  A'a 30°  41.X.8      80°  34X.4       —0°  24x.O  in  J. 

The  sign  — ,  denotes  East;  the  sign  -'-,  denotes  West;  J.,  F.  and  M., 
denote  January,  February  and  March,  18(i4.  The  annual  change  is 
3/.5,  increasing  AVest  and  diminishing  East* 


CHAPTER  II. 

CLIMATOLOGY. 

BY    WM.    M.    FOiNTAINE. 

In  considering  the  climate  of  the  State,  we'may  divide  it  into 
three  belts,  running  in  a  northeast  and  southwest  direction. 

The  first  belt  comprises  the  countias  along  the  Ohio  river 
and  may  be  taken  to  coincide  with  our  first  topographical 
belt.  This  comprises  the  lowest  land  in  the  State.  The  sec 
ond  climatic  belt  may  be  taken  to  include  all  the  rest  of  the 
State,  except  the  mountain  region.  The  third  half  includes 
the  mountain  district.  It  will  be  convenient  to  designate  the 
first  belt,  as  the  "Ohio  counties;  "  the  second  belt,  as  the  "  pla 
teau  district;"  and  the  third,  as  the  "mountain  district;" 
inasmuch  as  these  names  suggest  the  position,  and  altitude  of 
the  areas  which  they  designate. 

For  all  of  these,  there  is  a  great  lack  of  data  connected  with 
the  climate;  but  in  the  Ohio  counties,  records  have  been  kept 
for  a  much  longer  time  than  elsewhere.  For  the  plateau  dis 
trict,  we  have  a  few  details,  and  for  the  mountain  district  none 
at  all. 

The  Ohio  River  Valley  is  often  spoken* of,  as  possessing 
features  of  climate,  distinct  from  those  shown  in  other  parts  of 
the  State.  This,  taken  without  qualification,  would  lead  to 
erroneous  ideas  of  the  topography  of  the  stream.  The  valley 
proper,  is  a  narrbw  trench,  cut  out  in  high  hills  for  most  of 
the  way. 

It  attains  at  most,  the  width  of  only  a  mile  or  two,  and  can 
not  exert  any  important  influence  on  the  climate  of  the  coun 
try  in  general.  In  summer  it  may  influence  to  some  extent 
the  formation  and  course  of  showers,  or  it  may  facilitate  the 


24  RESOURCES  OF    WEST   VIRGINIA. 

passage  of  bodies  of  warm,  moist  air  from  the  southwest.  Apart 
from  minor  and  local  influence,  it  is  to  be  considered  merely  as 
one  of  the  factors  influencing  the  climate  of  the  belt  of  country 
along  its  banks. 

If,  however,  we  apply  the  term  "Ohio  Valley,1'  to  the  belt 
of  comparatively  low  country  along  the  west  border  of  our 
State,  then,  no  doubt,  climatic  features  somewhat  different 
from  those  of  the  rest  of  the  State,  do  exist  here. 

Leaving  out  of  consideration  the  influence  of  altitude,  the 
most  important  general  causes  controling  our  climate,  are  the 
character  of  the  exposure  of  the  surface,  the  direction  as 
sumed  by  the  principal  elevations,  and  the  prevailing  winds. 
The  State  forms  a  sloping  surface,  inclining  in  a  northwesterly 
direction,  from  the  highest  ridges  of  the  Alleghany,  to  the  hills 
along  the  Ohio  river.  The  principal  elevations,  even  in  the 
hilly  region,  run  in  a  northeast  and  southwest  direction. 

When  now  we  take  into  consideration  the  winds  which  pre 
vail  along  the  Appalachian  belt  of  the  United  States,  we  can 
easily  see  that  these  topographical  features,  assume  great  im 
portance.  In  our  latitude,  even  east  of  the  Blue  Ridge,  easterly 
winds  are  not  the  predominant  ones.  But  in  Virginia,  es 
pecially  in  winter,  they  often  blow  for  a  considerable  space  of 
time,  bringing  with  them,  when  from  the  northeast,  the  long 
est  spells  of  wet  weather.  Owing  to  our  protection  by  the  Blue 
Ridge  and  Alleghanies,  such  winds  do  not  reach  us,  and  hence 
in  West  Virginia,  winds  with  an  easterly  element  are  extreme 
ly  rare.  If  they  do  reach  us,  they  are  usually  drying  and 
clearing  winds,  having  been  deprived  of  their  moisture  by 
passing  over  the  mountain  tops. 

Our  winds  are  almost  exclusively  those  with  a  westerly  ele 
ment,  such  as  S.W.,  "W.,  and  N.W.  When  these  enter  our 
State,  the  X.E  and  S.Wr.  direction  of  our  elevations,  exert  such 
a  guiding  influence  on  them,  that  instead  of  passing  directly 
across  the  State,  they  aro  forced  to  traverse  it  longitudinally. 
The  consequence  is,  that  we  feel  the  full  effects  of  such  winds, 
whatever  they  ma}7* be.  S.\V.  winds  enter  freely,  and  are 
guided  unchecked  in  their  original  direction.  Hence  such 
winds  the  year  round,  predominate,  at  l^ast  in  influence. 
Westerly,  and  north westlerly  winds,  are  partly  deflected,  so  as 
to  preserve  a  S.E.  or  N.E.  direction.  The  inclination  of  the 
face  ot  the  country  also,  exerts  an  important  influence. 


RESOURCES  OF  WEST  VIRGINIA. 

Such  winds  enter  the  State  on  its  lowest  side,  and  in  work 
ing  their  way  over  it,  they  rise  higher  and  higher.  The  con 
sequence  is,  that  they  become  cooled,  and  their  moisture  is 
condensed,  if  they  be  moist,  warm  winds.  Thus  an  abundant 
rain  fall  is  secured.  The  country  never  suffers  from  the  pro 
longed  dry  spells,  which  sometimes  occur  east  of  the  Allegha- 
nies.  A  mere  inspection  of  the  map  of  this  region  will  show, 
by  the  enormous  number  of  perennial  streams  possessed  by  it, 
that  this  precipitation  is  not  only  abundant,  but  that  it  is 
uniformly  distributed  throughout  the  year.  Our  State  con 
tributes  no  small  proportion  of  the  volume  of  water  carried  by 
the  Ohio  into  the  Mississippi.  It  is  well  known  that  this 
surpasses  that  of  any  other  tributary  of  that  great  stream. 
After  these  general  considerations,  we  may  turn  to  the  exami 
nation  of  the  individual  factors  which  constitute  the  climate 
of  a  country. 

TEMPERATURE. 

Temperature  is  influenced  both  by  latitude  and  elevation. 
The  main  body  of  the  State  of  West  Virginia  lies  between  the 
parallel  of  ?>7  deg.  and  40  deg.     For  points  at  the  same  eleva 
tion,  this  would  give  a  difference  of  about  3  deg.,  in  the  mean 
annual  temperature  of  the  southern,  and  northern  portions  rf 
the  State.     According  to  Dodge,  the  State  is  embraced  between 
the  isothermals  of  50  deg.  and  54  deg.     The  isothermal  of  52 
deg.  passes  nearly  through  the  centre  of  it.     The  general  ele 
vation  of  the  surface,  renders  the  mean  temperature  somewhat 
lower  than  that  of  points  on  the  same  parallel  of  latitude,  in 
the  States  further  west.     Within  the  State  itself,  the  greater 
altitude  of  the  plateau,  and  mountainous  portions,  renders  the 
mean  temperature  of  these  belts,  lower  than  that  of  the  Ohio 
counties.      This   difference   of  altitude,   may  be  taken   on    an 
average,  to  be  about  1500  feet,  causing  a  lowering  of  the  mean 
annual  temperature  of  about  4J  deg.,  on  the  same  parallel  of 
latitude.     Hence  such  elevated  counties  as  Fayette.  Nicholas, 
Raleigh,  tv.c.;  do  not  possess  that  higher  mean  temperature, 
which  they  should  have,  in  consequence  of  their  more  south 
erly  position.      The  isothermals  passing  through  the  moun 
tain,  and  plateau  districts,  bend  strongly  up  northward.    .The 
mean  annual  temperature  of  the  State  may  be  taken  as  52  dvg. 
The  following  means  of  temperature,  are  taken  from  Dr.  E. 


26  RESOURCES  OF  WEST   VIRGINIA, 

A.  Hildretlvs  reports,  based  on  records  kept  at  Wheeling  lor 
18  years,  ending  1867.  Wheeling  may  be  taken  as  represent 
ing  in  climate,  the  northern  half  of  the  Ohio  belt  of  counties. 
For  these  then  we  have  : 

January 28° .97 

February 33  .05 

March 38  .43 

April  49  .75 

May (50  .00 

Juno 1C 09  .77 

July 73  .91 

August 73  .41 

September Go  .50 

October  50  .95 

November 41  .90 

December...  ..  34  .01 


Annual  mean : 51   .04 

The  same  author  gives  for  Wheeling,  the  following  means 
for  the  seasons,  based  on  observations  for  twenty-three  years 

and  seven  months : 

Spring 51°. 00 

Slimmer 71   .54 

Autumn 52  .72 

Winter < 32  .08 

Year 52  .08 

Highest  temperature,  104°  (July,  1854. 

Lowest  temperature,  — 15°  (January,  1856. 

Extreme  range,  119°. 

For  the  southern  part  of  the  the  State,  in  the  Ohio  belt,  we 
have  no  records  south  of  Kanawha  county.  At  Kanawha  Sa 
lines,  records  were  kept  for  4  years  and  4  month*,  from  June, 
1856,  to  January,  18G1,  for  the  Smithsonian  Institution,  with 
the  following  results : 

January 34.92° 

February 38  .98 

March   ...- -.-. 44  .28 

April 52  .88 

May  04.15 

•June  70  .35 

July  75  .70 

August  72  .70 

September 05  .82 

(Mubcr  ..,  55  .05 


RESOURCES   OF   WEST   VIRGINIA.  27 

November 43  .75 

December 37  .97 

Spring  53  -77 

Summer 72  .94 

Autumn 54  .87 

Winter  37.29 

Year  " 54.72 

Records  have  been  kept  for  the  Smithsonian  Institution  at 
Lewisburg,  for  7  years  and  1  month,  from  January,  1854  to 
March  1861.  The  climate  of  the  eastern  part  of  Grcenbrier 
and  Monroe  is  remarkably  mild.  The  Lewisburg  records  can 
not  be  taken  to  represent  the  climate  of  the  plateau  districts, 
which  they  might  be  supposed  to  do,  from  the  position  of  that 
town.  Two  causes  render  the  climate  of  the  Greenbrier  valley 
milder  than  that  of  the  eastern  portion  of  the  plateau  district. 
First,  This  region  (see  topography)  is  much  lower  than  the 
belt  of  country  to  the  W.,  N.  W.  and  S.  W.  of  it.  In  the  sec 
ond  place.  It  is  sheltered  by  the  high  country  from  the  cold 
N.  W.  and  W.  winds  of  winter. 

The  following  is  the  record  referred  to  above  : 

January 30°.64 

February 34  .]  2 

March  40  .79 

April  51  .59 

May 62  .98 

June 69  .:>5 

July 74.05 

August 71  .95 

September 64.03 

October 52  .01 

November 41  .68 

December...  ...33.49 


Spring 51  .79 

Summer 71  .78 

Autumn... 52  .57 

Winter 32  .75 

Year  X.  52  .22 

The  table  given  on  page  34,  represents  the  mean  tempera 
ture  and  other  climatic  features,  at  Morgantown,  and  may  be 
taken  to  represent  the  north  central  part  of  the  State.  The 
other  tables  are  taken  from  Dr.  Hildreth's  report.  As  no  rec 
ords  exist  for  the  mountainous  portions  of  [the  State,  we  can 
bay  nothing  of  their  climate  with  any  definiteness. 


RESOURCES    OF    WEST    VIRGINIA. 
PREVAILING  WITSTD3. 

Concerning  these,  it  has  already  been  stated  that  they  con 
tain  almost  always  a  westerly  element.  The  southwesterly 
and  southerly  winds  prevail  during  the  summer  months,  and 
influence  the  climate  largely  in  the  other  seasons  also.  The 
northwesterly,  westerly  and  northerly  winds  are  more  frequent 
in  winter,  hut  cannot  even  then  he  said  to  he  the  prevailing 
ones. 

Owing  to  its  latitude,  our  State  is  the  battle  ground  of  the 
S.  W.  and  N.  W.  winds.  The  S.  and  S.  W.  winds  come  to  us 
from  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  creeping  around  the  southern  toot, 
and  along  the  western  slopes  of  the  Appalachian  belt.  Hence 
they  are  warm  and  moist.  Passing  over  the  elevated  surface 
of  our  State,  they  part  with  much  of  their  heat  and  moisture. 
As  has  been  shown,  the  topography  of  our  section  of  country 
specially  favors  the  free  passage  of  these  winds. 

The  westerly  and  northwesterly  winds  come  to  us  from 
cooler  regions,  being  deflected  from  the  ranges  of  the  Rocky 
Mountains.  Hence  their  effect  is  cooling  and  drying.  The 
effects  of  these  classes  of  winds  on  our  climate  is  best  illus 
trated  by  our  winter  weather.  Their  influence  in  other  sea 
sons  is  essentially  the  same,  but  this  is  modified  by  the  vary 
ing  dry  ness  and  heat  of  the  areas  over  which  they  pass. 

In  winter  the  S.  W.  winds,  which  may  be  taken  as  the 
normal  ones  outside  of  the  mountain  district,  so  long  as  they 
blow,  bring  a  higher  temperature,  cloudiness  and  gentle  rains. 
These  are  soon  met  by  N.  W.  and  N.  winds,  and  in  the  strug 
gle  of  these  for- the  mastery,  we  have  the  cause  of  our  heaviest 
rains,  wind  storms,  and  snow  storms.  Should  the  N.  W.  winds 
prevail,  a  season  of  clearing  up  and  cold  weather  occurs,  and 
continues  so  long  as  such  winds  predominate.  This  is  usually 
not  long.  The  S.  W.  winds  again  push  back  the  cold  air  and 
prevail,  causing  a  rapid  melting  of  the  snow,  a  rise  of  temper 
ature,  and  a  fall  of  rain,  or  a  cloudiness  of  the  atmosphere. 
Such  is  essentially  the  course  of  events  in  winter.  Extreme 
weather  at  at  any  season,  whether  stormy,  hot,  or  cold,  rarely 
lasts  more  than  three  days,  in  consequence  of  this  alternate 
swing  of  the  winds.  Accordingly  our  climate,  especially  in 
winter,  is  marked  by  great  variability.  The  extreme  ranges, 
however,  are  not  correspondingly  great.  Our  considerable 


RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA. 


29 


altitude  causes  us  never  to  have  the  extreme  summer  heats 
felt  on  the  Atlantic  slope.  The  prevalence  of  the  S.  W.  winds, 
besides  giving  us  a  uniform  abundant  rainfall  at  all  seasons, 
acts  as  a  shield  to  protect  us  against  the.se  extreme  and  sudden 
falls  of  temperature  which  are  felt  to  the  X.  and  N.  E.  of  us. 
Those  waves  of  cold,  which  in  winter,  are  generated  in  the 
Rocky  Mountains,  move  east,  and  invade  the  Middle  and  East 
ern  States,  generally  expend  much  of  their  severity  in  over 
coming  and  cooling  the  S.  W.  winds.  It  is  true  that  when 
they  are  of  extraordinary  violence,  and  move  in  more  .southerly 
tracts,  they  press  upon  us  with  sufficient  force  to  cause,  at  long 
intervals,  the  extreme  range  of  — 10  cleg,  to  — iodeg.  As  an 
illustration  of  this  fact,  Dr.  Hildreth,  from  observations  during 
23  years  and  7  months  at  Wheeling,  gives — 15  deg.  as  the  low 
est  temperature  reached.  The  annexed  table,  gives  the  prev 
alent  winds  at  Morgantown: 

STATION  MORGAXTOWN,  \V.  VA. 

Records    Kept   by    United   States   Signal  Service  from  Jan.  27,  1873,  to 
Dec.  31,  1875— Monthly  Means  for  the  Entire  Period. 


;_; 

99 

MONTH. 

g 

i* 

5 
inches 

w      ^ 

u 
miles. 

'- 

(H 

January  .    3016 

33.  1 

s  \v 

3  14 

71  4 

38 

18 

Februarv  3007 

31.5 

3  44 

OS  ••» 

14 

March  3000 

40.1 

W 

4  >;9 

04  7 

48 

16 

\pril                                  \  i  *>9  97 

47  9 

S.Wto 

4  07 

1  S 

J     ~J'Jt 
Alav  :  2993 

6°.  7 

X.  \V. 

S    \Y 

0  35 

60  9 

4S 

13 

.June  ''9  98 

71.4 

s  w 

4  7S 

69  9 

24 

13 

Julv  •)9<)7 

73.  1 

s  \v 

7  08 

75  '' 

15 

August  ;  29.99 
Septeml>er  30.03 

69.8 
63.7 

X.  W. 

s.  \v 

4.11 

4  50 

75.9 
74  6 

30 

12 

(  >ctober                                  30  05 

51  :>s 

S    \Y 

3  19 

(>9  5 

37 

Q 

November                ...       '     30  00 

41  0 

S.Wti 

411 

69  4 

51 

14 

Dei-ember  30.09 

39.3 

X.  \V. 

s.  w. 

4.10 

72  4 

40 

18 

Annual  Mean  for  period    30.02 

52.7 

s.  \v. 

49.22 

698 



m 

In  the  above  results  deduced,  from  observations  for  thirty- 


30  RESOURCES    OF    WEST    VIRGINIA. 

five  months,  the  wind  prevailed  from  the  S.  W.  during  twenty- 
one  months,  from  the  West  five  months,  from  the  South  three 
months,  from  the  X.  W.  four  months,  from  the  North  two 
months.  The  rain  fall  in  July,  1875,  was  exceptionally  great. 
The  maximum  velocity  of  the  wind  is  given  in  miles  per  hour. 
This  record  is,  no  doubt,  representative  of  the  northern  central 
belt  of  counties  in  the  State.  Morgantown  is  about  800  feet 
above  tide,  and  the  hills  around  it  about  1,300  feet.  For 
Wheeling,  according  to  the  observations  of  Dr.  E.  A.  Hil- 
dreth,  continued  for  16  }?ears  and  7  months,  in  15,173  cases  of 
winds,  the  distribution  according  to  the  quarters  of  the  com 
pass,  is  as  follows : 

South,  438  days;  North,  2,093  ;  11^,1,022;  EaM,  61  ;  South 
west,  5,306;  Northeast,  15;  Northwest,  3,571;  Southeast,  292. 

From  this  list,  the  great  predominance  of  S.  W.  winds,  so 
far  north  as  Wheeling,  can  be  seen.  This  predominance  in 
creases  in  the  more  southern  districts  ;  but  how  much,  there 
are  no  observations  to  sho\v. 

KAINFALLAND   MEJLTED  SNOW. 

From  what  has  been  already  said,  a  pretty  good  idea  of  the 
precipitation  over  the  state  may  be  gained.  The  following 
statistics,  though  scanty  in  amount,  are  offered.  fFor  Wheeling 
observations  for  17  years  ending  1871,  made  by  Dr.  E.  A.  Hil- 
dreth.give  us  the  following  : 

Spring 10.  9  inches 

Summer ....12.93      " 

Autumn 9.57      " 

Winter 9..°>(>      " 

Year 41.95       " 

By  the  same  observer  at  the  same  place,  the  following  an 
nual  average  of  rainy,  snowy,  <tc.,  days  are  given,  during  a 
period  of  27  years. 

For  each  year Rainy  and  snowy  days 1 19.81 

Clear  and  fair...' 170. Hi 

.". Cloudy 7<>.L>S 

He  also  deduces  the  mean  annual  rainfall  for  the  state  from 
observations  amounting  in  the  aggregate  to  103  years  to  be 
39.89  inches.  While  the  above  estimates  for  Wheeling 'may 
represent  fairly  the  precipitation  along^the  Ohio  in  the  north, 
it  cannot  be  doubted  that  for  the  plateau  and  mountain  sec- 


RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VlRGlJStA.  3l 

tions,  the  precipitation  is  Beater,  but  Utifortunately  details 
from  these  elevated  parts  of  the  state  are  mostly  wanting. 
The  rainfall  deduced  from  the  records  at  Morgan  town  a  point 
more  inland,  and  near  the  foot  of  Laurel  Hill,  show  an  un 
usual  average  of  49.22  inches.  As  the  year  1874  was  noted  for  the 
heavy  summer  rains  no  doubt  this  is  too  high,  and  a  mean  an 
nual  precipitation  of  45  inches  may  be  taken  as  near  the 
mark,  for  the  more  elevated  districts. 

The  following  record  from  Kanawha  Salines,  was  taken  for 
3  years  and  3  months,  from  April  1^57  to  February  1861. 

Spring 12.92  inches  |  Autumn 10.18  inches 

Summer 12  ();>      "       | -Winter 14.71      *' 

Year " 35.75,  indies 

This  without  donbt  is  above  the  average,  but  it  would  seem 
that  the  Kanawha  river  valley,  has  usually,  an  exception 
ally  high  rainfall, 

For  Lewisburg  records  kept  during  6  years,  for  the  Smith 
sonian  Institution,  show  the  following  results. 

Spring- 7.;5U  inches  |  Autumn 9  00  indies 

Summer U.21       "        |  Winter U.55      " 

Year ;>,.->  7;,  inches 

Records  kept  at  the  White  Sulpher  Springs,  for  5  years  and  0 
months,  shows  a  mean  annual  rainfall  of  37.54  inches.  Both 
of  these  results  are  below  the  average  of  places  of  the  height  of 
Lewisburg  and  the  White  Sulphur,  which  are  each  about  2,000 
feet  above  tide.  This  is  due  to  the  position  of  these  localities. 
They  are  situated  between  the  Allegheny  mountains  on  the 
east,  and  the  high  country  of  the  eastern  part  of  Fayette  and 
Raleigh,  on  the  southwest.  These  latter  highlands  lie  in  the 
direct  path  of  the  S.  W.  winds  which  bring  moisture  into  the 
country,  and  in  passing  over  them,  these  winds  are  deprived 
of  much  of  their  temperature  and  vapor.  But  beside  records 
from  weather  observations,  we  may  get  an  excellent  idea  of 
the  climate  of  a  country  from  the  usual  times  of  seeding  and 
harvesting  crops  &c.  The  following  calendar  is  taken,  with 
considerable  alterations,  from  the  former  Handbook  of  this 
state,  compiled  by  J.  H.  Diss  Debar.  It  applies  especially  to 
the  Ohio  belt. 

FARMING  CALENDAR. 

February  28th — Break  up  soil.  March  1st — Plant  early  pota 
toes;  sow  Timothy,  Blue  Grass  and  Clover;  sow  early  garden 


•")2  RESOURCES   OF    WEST   VlR(UNtA. 

vegetables.     Manufacture    Maple  Sugar,     ^^L^eh    loth — Turn 
out  cattle  on    Blue  Grass.     April   I*/ — So.v    oarlv   oats.     April 
loth — Sow  main  crop  of  garden  vegetables.     April  20/// — Cher 
ry,  Plum,  Apple  and   Peach  trees  are   in    bloom:     Poplar  and 
Maple    are    leafing.      Turn    Cattle    on  Timothy    and   Clover. 
April  2oth— Sow  late  Oats  and  Flax.     Plant  late  Potatoes.     May 
1st — Set  out  Fruit  trees.     Plant  early  corn.     Turnout  cattle  in 
the    woods  to    range.     Timbar  g 311  orally   begins   to  leaf  out. 
Plant  Sorghum.     Light  white  frosts  may  be  still  looked  for  in 
the    1st   week.     May   7th — Plant    Beans    and    Cucumbers    ttc. 
May    lOth — "20th — Plant    and    sow    all    late  garden  vegetables, 
Sweet  Potatoes,  and  Watermelons.    Dogwoods  in  bloom.    Plant 
main  crop  of  Corn,  also  Pumpkins  and  late  Beans.     Amy  31*£ — 
Corn  and  Potatoes  planted  on  fresh   cleared  land.     Grapes   are 
in  bloom.     June  1st — Shear  sheep.     June   8th — Plant    Tobacco, 
Corn  may  still  be  planted  on  fresh  cleared  land      ('lover  is  in 
bloom.     June    loth — Harvest   Clover,    plant    late    Cucumbers, 
Beans,  Melons  and  even  Potatoes.     Send  early  grass-fed  cattle 
to   market.      July   l$t — 4th — Plough    corn   for    the   last    time. 
Early  Potatoes  are  ripe.     July  lOt/i — Harvest  Wheat  and  Rye. 
July   loth — Commence   cutting   Timothy,    Sow    Bucx    wheat. 
July  2otJ> — Harvest  Oats.     Early  Apples  are  ripe.     August  10th 
• — September  1st — Sow  turnips.     August  lotJi — Finish   hay  har 
vest.     Plough  for  wheat  and  rye.     August  2oth — September  10th 
Peaches  and  Melons  ripening.     Isabella,  Hartford,  Prolific,  and 
Concord  grapes   ripening.     September  10th — 20th — Cut  Tobacco, 
sow  Wheat,  Timothy,  and  Rye.     Catawba,  and  Norton's  Vir 
ginia  seedling  grapes,  are   maturing.      Sept  '2oth — Oct  \*t — Cut 
corn,  harvest  Buck  wheat.     Oct.  1st — loth  —  First   white  frosts 
occur.     Cut  late   corn.     Sow  Wheat  and  Rye  on  corn  ground. 
Cut  Sorghum  and  make  Syrup.     Oft.  2oth  Dig  late   Potatoes. 
Leaves  fall  fast.     Send  late  fat  stock  to  market.     Aor  l*t — loth 
Gather  Turnips  and   other  root  crops.     Commence  husking 
corn.     Commence  winter  feeding  of  young  stock,   and  milch 
cows.     Xoc.  31s£ — Winter  feeding  in  general. 

Dates  for  the  higher  plateaus  and  mountains  are  10 — 1.5 days 
later  in  spring  and  earlier  in  Autumn. 

While  within  the  State  itself  records  of  long  periods  are 
lacking,  we  are  fortunate  in  being  able  to  avail  ourselves 
of  a  series  of  observations,  made  for  a  considerable  term  of 
years,  at  Marietta,  Ohio. 


RESOURCES  OF  WEST  VIRGINIA.  3 

Marietta  is  situated  on  the  Ohio  river,  opposite  the  center 
of  the  State.  From  its  position,  it  is  better  fitted  than  any 
other  single  point,  to  furnish  data  from  which  conclusions 
can  be  drawn  concerning  the  general  climate  of  our  State. 
The  records,  of  which  we  speak,  were  kept  from  1817  to  1823, 
inclusive,  by  Mr.  Wood,  and  from  1826  to  1859,  both  inclu 
sive,  by  S.  P.  Hildreth.  These  were  presented  to  the  Smith 
sonian  Institution,  where  they  were  given  in  charge  to  Mr. 
Schott,  and  by  him  were  discussed  on  the  general  plan  adopted 
by  the  Institution  for  other  observations  of  the  same  kind. 
The  results  of  this  discussion  were  published  in  the  "Smith 
sonian  Contributions  to  Knowledge,''  No.  120.  Extracts  from 
this  valuable  publication,  are  here  given.  The  annexed  table 
A.  page  34,  will  explain  itself. 

In  this,  the   observed  monthly  means,  are  referred    to  the 
mean,  resulting  from  hourly  observations. 


RESOURCES  OF  WEST  VIRGINIA, 


TABLE  A. 

Resulting  Mean  Monthly  Temperature  Observed  at  Marietta  Between 
1818  and  1859,    Inclusive. 


Year. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May 

Jun. 

Julyl 

Aug.  Sep. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

1818 

72°.6v 
72  .53 
72  .18 
74  .05 
74  .22 

77^.19 
74  .50 
76  .72 
72  .17 
75  .36 

74°.  56 
75  ,95 
72  .86 
74  .50 
74  .12 

64  ^.02 
63  .4ii 
66  .87 
67  .50 
65  .69 

51°.  42 

49  .98 
48  .21 
52  .46 
51  .96 

46°.2fl 

46  .23 
38  .36 
38  .55 
47  .03 

32°.54 
}3  .28 
32  .29 
28  .31 
31  .22 

1819  

40°.28 

27  .10 
_'4  .S3 
28  .69 
32  .50 

38°.ll 
42  .14 

37  .00 
32  .02 
25  .38 

38°  .58 
40  .44 
36  .84 
45  .89 
42  .37 

52°.82 
57  .96 
48  .84 
53  -70 

63.°19 
61  .75 
64  .27 
69  .17 

1820  . 

J821.... 
1822  . 

1823  

1826  

30  .51 
26  .54 
41  .68 
32  .95 
31  .21 
25  .80 
29  .07 
35  .76 
2»i  .99 
33  .8-1 
31  .01 
27  79 

36  .93 
41  !68 
43  .88 
26  .09 
34  .37 
29  .14 
37  .77 
35  .10 
43  .03 
24  .37 
26  .87 
34  .15 
20  .65 
35  .6( 
40  ,80 
31  .79 
37  .05 
26  .35 
35  .25 
38  .15 
31  19 
35  .42 
35  .49 
29  .66 
34  .36 
40  .42 
34  .95 
34  .76 
37  .76 
25  .67 
25  .32 
42  .53 
27  .71 
36  .86 

48  .53 
46  .29 
48  .69 
37  .44 
47  .00 
45  .28 
43  .45 
39  .73 
43  .73 
40  .51 
36  .03 
41  .46 
45  .41 
42  .37 
46  .48 
42  .16 
51  .87 
28  .15 
42  .79 
43  .15 
43  .40 
39  .57 
39  .46 
44  .65 
39  .15 
45  .06 
44  .31 
40  -69 
45  .3b 
38  .42 
32  .2* 
37.  86 
39  .77 
48  .63 

51  .00 
56  .09 
50  A? 
50  .64 
58  .68 
54  .Oh 
,54  .78 
56  .58 
.55  .97 
49  .94 
55  .30 
46  .56 
48  .59 
57  .5* 
56  .58 
|49  .66 
56  .21 
51  .14 
61  .31 
57  .18 
56  .75 
53  .90 
52  .31 
50  .64 
48  .17 
51  .30 
48  .78 
53  .05 
50  .94 
55  .44 
54  .35 
42  .56 
53  .62 
50  .85 

67  ,32 

60  .28 
63  .09 
65  .57 
61  .07 
60  .50 
61  .00 
68  .02 
60  .82 
63  .54 
65  .69 
60  .64 
55  .43 
64  .5:1, 
(i2  .34 
60  .05 
59  .10 
60  .47 
164  .00 
58  .s: 
C4  .85 
61  .70 
63  .76 
61  .56 
55  .92 
61  .67 
62  .76 
61  .53 
62  .77 
62  .81 
61  .31 
57  .63 
60  .64 
66  .14 

72  .38 
65  .24 
73  .69 
71  .25 
(i8  .35 
70  .47 
68  .6-' 
66  .33 
69  .57 
68  .64 
68  54 

72  .31 
74  .95 
71  .07 
71  .69 
75  .03 
71  .40 
70  .97 
72  .60 
76  .23 
69  .84 
71  .89 
71  .56 
77  .10 
72  .25 
71  .41 
71  .90 
70  .40 
72  .80 
74  .12 
71  .68 
72  .12 
70  .92 
70  .51 
71  .31 
76  .32 
72  .66 
73  .24 
72  .3! 
76  .39 
75  .35 
76  .67 
72  .7( 
75  .09 
74  .01 

71  J21 

74  .49 
73  .22 
71  .68 
73  .73 
69  .81 
69  .64 
69  -SO 
72  .49 
68  .35 
68  .94 
70  .04 
75  .58 
6S  .04 
71  .55 
70  .59 
67  .30 
70  .80 
69  ,92 
72  .44 
74  .41 
68  .18 
70  .47 
69  .85 
71  .93 
70  .34 
69  .08 
71  .65 
73  .84 
73  .51 
69  .79 
72  .40 
72  .26 
70  .90 

66  .52 
66  .9C 
62  .32 
G2  .81 
64  .30 
62  .67 
(53  .36 
65  .95 
63  .So 
57  .18 
68  .29 
02  .80 
64  .11 
59  .93 
59  .82 
66  .5!) 
64  .16 
68  ,77 
63  .27 
63  .88 
70  .01 
63  .34 
59  .68 
62  .59 
63  .56 
66  .47 
64  .36 
64  .48 
70  .19 
70  .28 
63  .95 
66  .75 
64  .53 
64  .15 

15  .88 
54  .38 
52  .17 
54  .88 
57  .37 
53  .99 
54  .07 
49  .r4 
49  .97 
54  .93 
45  53 
33  .46 
48  .20 
"^8  .21 
32  .81 
48  .53 
50  .34 
47  .78 
48  .85 
50  .69 
51  .64 
50  .99 
51  .81 
51  .93 
51  .56 
52  .27 
57  .96 
49  .36 
56  .06 
50  .:W 
53  .89 
r>2  .03 
.56  .:>: 
49  .15 

42  .75 
42  .59 
45  .32 
39  .27 
49  .54 
40  .03 
43  .41 
40  .56 
43  .34 
44  .55 
36  .73 
45  .29 
38  .23 
37  .50 
40  .22 
42  .47 
36  .11 
39  .62 
42  .20 
39  ,86 
46  ,2k 
44  .12 
37  .67 
47  .08 
44  .41 
39  .03 
41  .65 
45  .89 
41  .17 
47  .25 
40  .92 
40  .05 
38  .44 
44  .20 

33  .06 
41  .58 
J9  .03 
43  .72 
35  .45 
20  .49 
35  .72 
36  .51 
35  .32 
30  .81 
30  .28 
34  .64 
LI  .90 
31  .79 
32  .18 
35  .76 
33  .13 
34  .64 
34  .29 
24  .71 
37  .66 
34  .65 
42  .56 
31  .20 
34  .38 
27  .70 
39  .08 
30  .80 
31  .95 
33  .24 
28  '90 
38  .64 
4ti  .28 
30  .06 

1827.. 
1828  
1829. 
1830  

1831.. 

1832  ... 
1833  .. 

1834  
1835  
1836 

1837 

67  .07 
70  .97 

66  .09 
68  .74 
73  .19 
66  .87 
67  .49 
68  .34 
OX  .8! 
67  .05 
66  .38 
67  .78 
71  .38 
69  .18 
66  .81 
66  .36 
74  .08 

1838  

34  .65 
35  .10 
24  .32 
32  .04 
36  .15 
36  .53 
29  .79 
36  .41 
33  .05 
31  .29 
35  .77 
30  .33 
35  .37 
34  .14 
24  .84 
815  .55 
30  .72 
34  .96 
18  .61 
18  .75 
40  .11 
32  .86 

1839  .. 

1840  
1841  
1842  
1843.  . 

1844  

1845 

1846  
1847  . 

1848  

1849. 
1850.....  
1851 
1852  
18.53  

18-54..,. 

70  .41 

66  .8.' 
72  .51 
68  .21 
i72  .36 
67  .41 

1855  

1856 

1857  

1858  
1859 

Mean  

31°.41 

34°.0042  .14lo3°.04 

62°.25|69°.58 

73°.25 

71°.  54 

64°.5( 

52°.08 

12°.H»|:!:;  .68 

MEAN  ANNUAL  TEMPERATURE. 

Taking  the  annual  means,  of  the  monthly  values,  given  in 
table  A,  after  substituting  the  respective  monthly  means  of 
the  whole  series,  for  those  months  in  1818,  and  1823,  in  which 
the  series  is  defective,  we  find  the  annual  mean  temperature, 
for  40  years  as  follows  : 


0 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

1810 

53°.45 

54°.07 

1820 

53°  07 

51°.61 

54°.09 

51°.  86 

54°.07 

54°  25 

55  .38 

52  .33 

1830 
1840 
1850 

54.67 
62  .27 
52  .07 

50  .36 
52.05 
62  .33 

52  .(>() 
52  .39 
62.20 

63  .04 

50  .38 
62  .61 

53°.39 
52.84 
53  .96 

50°.54 
62  .16 

52°.84 

50  .43 
54  03 
49  .71 

51  .28 
51    62 
50.84 

50  .57 
52  .28 
53  .44 

52  .42 
51  .85 
52  .93 

RESOURCES  OF   WEST    VIRGINIA. 


35 


Mean  annual  temperatnre  from  40  years  observation,  52°. 46, 
Fahr.  Warmest  year,  1828,  55°,38;  Coldest  year,  1856,  49°.71, 
difference  in  the  mean  temperature  for  these  years,  5°, 67; 
which  is  comparitively  small  range  of  variations. 

If  we  compare  the  mean  of  the  first  20  years,  with  the 
mean  for  the  40  years,  we  find  it  0°.20  higher.  If  we 
compare  that  of  the  last  20  years,  with  the  same  standard, 
we  find  it  nearly  0°.10  lower,  so  that  no  change  in  the 
climate  is  indicated  in  the  40  years  observations.  To  as 
certain  whether  the  summer  and  winter  temperatures  have 
also  remained  unchanged,  the  following  comparison  is  added  : 

MEAN  MONTHLY  TEMPERATURE. 


1818 

TO 

1840 

December 33°.38 

January 31  .38 

February  ...  ..  33  .01 


1840* 

TO 

1859 
33°.  79 
31  .43 
34  .08 


Mean  32°  96 

The  differences    0°.14 


33°.  10 


1818  1840 

TO  TO 

1840  1859 

June 70°.14  69°02 

July f 73  -40  73  .10 

August 72  .03  71  .06 

Mean...  ..  71°.* 


71°.  86       71°.06 

in  winter,  and  0°.80  in  summer, 
are  too  small,  and  fully  covered  by  their  probable  un 
certainty,  to  draw  any  other  inference,  than  that  of  un 
changed  temperature  of  the  seasons.  The  mean  deviation 
of  the  monthly  values  for  the  term  of  years  was  found  to  be 
as  follows  : 


IRREGULAR   FLUCTUATIONS   AS   EXHIBITED   IN   THE 
MONTHLY  MEANS, 

July -l-2°.32 

August 2.32 

September 2  .76 

October..' 2.95 


January -|-5°.04 

February  6  .02 

March 4  .49 

April 3  .87 

2  .87 

2.90 


April 
May 
June 


November 3  .66 

December 4  .48 


The  irregular  fluctuations  of  the  temperatures  are  there 
fore  greatest  in  February,  and  least  in  July  and  August. 
The  ratio  is  nearly  2.6  to  1.  Comparing  the  lowest  and  high 
est  means,  we  find  them  to  be  as  follows : 

lowest. 

.January LS°.61. 

February 20  .65 

March  ^ 28.15 

April 42.56 

May  55  .43 

Juiie 65  .23 


41°68 
43  88 

July  
-Yu°Tist 

Lowest* 
69°.84 
67  30 

Highest. 
77°.19 

75  95 

51    87 

Sept  ember 

57  ig 

70  l>8 

61  31 

(  )(•{(  »ber   ... 

.    .    45  53 

58  21 

69  .17 

November.  . 

3fi  .11 

49  54 

74  .22 

..  20.49 

43  .72 

36 


RESOURCES  OF   WEST   VIRGINIA. 


The  irregularity  in  the  mean  daily  temperature,  is  illus 
trated  by  the  following  table  of  observed  extremes  for  each 
month  during  31  years.  The  numbers  are  corrected  for  diur 
nal  fluctuations : 

Lowest.  Hi<jlirxt. 

January —  6°.6  60°.8 

February —4.3  61.8 

.March -|-  9  .5  74.0 

April -| -25  .6  76  .6 

May H-42  A  82  .3 

June -j-L5.y  88.7 


July  ..................  -|-55°.5 

August  ...............  -S-53  9 

September  .........  -|-42  2 

October  .............  -j-28  .8 

November  .........  -[-16  .4 

December  ..........  -i-  o  .4 


Highest 

86°.2 
84  0 
80.9 
75  .4 

66  .7 
(54  .4 


The  extreme  lowest  temperature  observed  was  — 23  deg.  0 
min.  at  7  A.  M.,  January  20, 1852,  and  the  extreme  highest  tem 
perature  was  102  deg.  0  min.,  at  3  r.  M.,  July  14, 1859.  Extreme 
range  observed,  125  deg.  of  Fahrenheit's  scale. 

The  monthly  means  at  the  bottom  of  the  table  A,  require  a 
small  correction  to  refer  them  from  calendar  to  average  months. 
Thus  corrected  they  stand : 

l°.39  -  July. 73°.19 


January 

February 34  .16 

March 42  .56 

April 53  .60 

May 62.50 

June 69  .86 


August 71  .48 

September 64  .44 

October. 51  .85 

November.. 42  .06 

December 33  .48 


Autumn. 
Winter.... 


52°.  78 
33  .01 


Mean 52°.55. 

The  temperature  for  the  Meteorological  Seasons  is  as  follows: 

Spring 52°.P8 

Summer 7L  .51 

Adding  1°.54,  we  find  the  annual  mean  reduced  to  the  level 
of  the  sea-  54°.09,  Fahr. 

MEAN  RANGE  OF  THE  DIURNAL  FLUCTUATIONS  FOR  EACH 

MONTH. 

After  applying  required  corrections  to  the  observed  ranges, 
we  find  the  following  to  be  the  mean  range  of  Diurnal  Fluctu 
ations  for  each  month  : 


January 12° 

February 14  .3 

.March 18  .7 

April 22.8 

Mav 22  .5 

June 19.2 


July 18°.4 

August 17  .7 

.September 18  .7 

October 18  .6. 

November 15.5 

December 11  .2 


The  diurnal  range  attains  its  greatest  value  in  April, 
and  its  least  value  in  December;  there  is  also  indication  of  a 
secondary  minimum  in  August,  and  a  secondary  maximum  in 


RESOURCES  OF   WEST   VIRGINIA. 


37 


September  or  October.    In  April,  the  range  is  more  than  double 
that  in  December. 

DIRECTION  OF  THE  WIND. 

Dr.  Hildreth's  record  is  tolerably  complete  over  the  years 
from  1820  to  1850,  inclusive,  and  less  so  for  1852  -3-4,  and 
1858-9.  Table  B  contains  9,467  results  of  observations,  and 
shows  the  relative  frequency  of  each  of  the  eight  directions  of 
the  wind,  on  record  for  each  year. 

TABLE  B. 


YEAR. 

s. 

N. 

W- 

E. 

S.W. 

X.E. 

x.w. 

S,E. 

18-><>  

51 

79 

51 

•'0 

705 

16  5 

49 

26 

39 

5'>  5 

12.5 

95 

15  5 

39 

265 

1831  

38  5 

58  5 

07 

65 

117 

12 

43 

18.5 

is:-)''  

32 

68  5 

63  o 

1  2  5 

106 

14.5 

32 

36 

is;-)/;   

13 

70  5 

45 

16  5 

1  13 

26.5 

42 

35.5 

1834  

14 

84 

62.5 

11 

87 

19.5 

30 

54 

1835  

31 

54 

64.5 

8 

111 

19.5 

39.^ 

34.5 

1836  

58 

84 

51 

>>2.5 

16 

18.5 

33 

36 

1837  

62 

86  5 

57 

17  5 

74 

13 

29  -r 

15.5 

1838  

495 

87 

41.5 

17  5 

68 

30 

35 

32.5 

183()  : 

71  5 

61  5 

26 

545 

22 

35 

3'J  5 

1840  

45.5 

55  5 

68 

13.5 

91 

17.5 

25.5 

41.5 

1841   

103  5 

45 

11  5 

79 

14 

305 

25 

1842  

(  >4  5 

72 

30 

20 

89  5 

7 

39 

32 

1843  

81 

74  5 

46 

7  5 

79 

255 

255 

25 

1844  

83  5 

8**.  5 

28 

155 

91 

13 

27 

24.5 

1845  

50 

59  5 

45 

5 

130  5 

10 

42 

22 

1846  
1847  
1848  

50 

91  5 
113,5 

78 
93 
110.5 

36.5 

29.5 
30 

27 
22 
14  5 

99 
60.5 
45 

12 

8.5 
9.5 

19.5 
11 
10 

42 
37 
£.9 

1849      

91 

97.5 

45.5 

12  5 

42 

10 

19 

46.5 

1850  

85  5 

92 

35  5 

135 

585 

75 

175 

32 

1852    

81 

06 

38  5 

18 

57 

8 

16 

35  5 

1853  

(54 

91  5 

19  5 

17 

325 

4 

20 

'Z(')  5 

1854  

63.5 

29.5 

42.5 

23 

17.5 

5.5 

51 

14 

1858  

64 

605 

69  5 

51  5 

665 

6 

45 

11 

1859  

94 

74 

55 

48  5 

28.5 

25 

23.5 

6  5 

Sum  
Prop,  in  1  ,000  ... 

1,038.^ 
173 

2,048 
217 

1,287 
135 

491 
52 

2,019 
213 

368 
39 

818 
87 

797.5 

84 

These  proportional  numbers  exhibit  the  relative  frequency 
of  the  wind  throughout  the  year.  The  north  and  southwest 
winds,  are  the  prevailing  ones  during  the  year,  and  the  north 
east  and  east  winds  are  the  least  frequent.  In  the  following 
table  C,  the  results  of  the  observations  are  arranged  according 


38 


RESOURCES   OF   WEST   VIRGINIA. 


to  months  and  seasons,  showing  the  annual  variation  of  the 
relative  frequency  : 

TABLE  C. 


MONTH 

AND 

SEASON, 

S. 

N. 

W. 

E. 

S.W. 

N.E. 

N.W. 

S.E. 

121  5 

157  5 

137 

36  5 

181  5 

26  5 

74 

54 

88 

153  5 

120 

31 

171 

27  5 

1075 

56 

March  .".  

107 

184 

121 

36 

168  5 

32 

104 

585 

\pril  

110 

200 

98 

43 

160  5 

37 

69 

71 

Mav  

109 

181 

85 

32 

157 

28 

74 

76 

176 

150 

955 

31 

205 

26 

47 

49 

JUly  

145 

187 

755 

48  5 

206 

27 

47 

68 

175 

2105 

595 

39 

141 

40 

335 

1085 

173 

178 

80  5 

52 

125 

43 

46 

75 

October 

155 

199 

96  5 

47 

151 

30 

58 

685 

100 

114 

155  5 

41 

201 

30 

72 

595 

119 

1335 

163 

54 

151  5 

21 

86 

53.5 

386 

565 

304 

111 

486 

97 

247 

2055 

496 

547  5 

''305 

118  5 

552 

93 

127  5 

2255 

428 

49] 

3325 

140 

477 

103 

176 

203 

"Winter  

3285 

444  5 

420 

121  5 

504 

75 

267.5 

163.5 

Year 

1  638  5 

2  048  0 

1  287  0 

491  0 

2  019  0 

'368  0 

8180 

797  5 

The  results  in  Table  C,  show  comparatively  small  changes  in 
the  seasons;  the  W.  and  N.  W.  winds  blow  more  frequently  in 
winter,  and  the  S.  wind  more  frequently  in  summer.  The 
proportional  numbers  for  each  season,  are  as  follows : 


SEASON. 

S.         N. 

W. 

E 

S.W. 

N.E. 

N.  W 

SE, 

8t>rincr 

161        °35 

197 

46 

202 

40 

103 

86 

*  ifllllfe  •  ...... 

208       230 

96 

49 

231 

39 

53 

94" 

182       209 

142 

59 

204 

43 

75 

86 

Winter  —  ...    ... 

141        192 

181 

52 

217 

32 

115 

70 

The  prevailing  winds  in  each  season,  are  as  follows  :  In 
Spring,  N.;  in  Summer,  N.  or  S.  W.;  in  Autumn,  N.  or  S.  W.; 
in  Winter,  S.  W.  Avincls.  The  N.  E.  wind  is  least  frequent  in 
all  seasons. 

RELATION  OF  THE  DIRECTION  OF   THE  WIND  TO   TEMPER 
ATURE. 

To  find  the  deviation  of  the  temperature  of  each  wind  from 
the  normal  temperature,  a  table  of  mean  temperatures  for  every 
day  in  the  year  was  computed ;  to  these  means  was  applied, 


RESOURCES  0$  WEST  VIRGINIA. 


With  its  sign  reversed,  the  correction  to  the  mean  of  three 
observations,  to  the  mean  of  twenty-four  observations  in  a  day, 
in  order  to  make  the  tabular  numbers  directly  comparable  with 
the  observed  daily  means  (uncorrected). 

As  the  deviation  from  the  normal  temperature  is  different  in 
the  summer  and  winter  seasons,  the  year  was  divided  into 
two  equal  parts  (with  regard  to  temperature),  taking  the  epochs 
of  the  mean  annual  temperature,  or  April  15th  and  October 
15th,  as  the  limiting  epochs.  The  observations  also  indicate 
that  unless  a  certain  wind  has  been  blowing  for  some  time,  it 
will  not  indicate  its  peculiar  temperature.  An  interval  of  half 
a  day,  or  a  day,  however,  after  a  change  of  wind  is  sufficient, 
and  the  temperature  difference  (from  the  tabulated  values)  of 
each  of  the  eight  winds  has  been  set  down  whenever  the  record 
of  the  direction  shows  no  change  for  two  days  or  more.  For 
the  directions  E.  and  N.  E.,  single  days,  on  which  these  winds 
blew,  had  to  be  included  in  the  comparison.  The  total  num 
ber  of  days  of  comparison  of  temperature,  and  direction  of 
wind,  is  2,340,  with  the  following  results.  These  show  that  on 
the  average,  during  the  year,  the  elevating  effect  of  the  south 
wind  is  nearly  equal  to  the  depressing  effect  of  the  northwest 
wind.  The  southeast,  south,  and  southwest  winds,  are  the 
Warm  winds.  All  others  are  cold.  The  temperature  effect  in 
winter,  is  far  more  marked  than  in  summer,  as  shown  by  the 
extreme  range  of  effect,  which  is  15°.3  in  winter,  and  8°.5 
in  summer. 

EFFECT  OF  THE  DIRECTION   OF    THE    "WIND   ON   THE   TEM 
PERATURE. 


DTttVfTTOX 

HALF  YEAR, 

INCLUDING 

SUMMER. 

WINTER. 

x  

—  4°.5 

—  4°0 

403 

N  E  

4  4 

5  1 

\   " 

E-  

2  5 

1  2  3 

0  o 

8    E 

1  0  3 

1-3   3 

1   1    H 

g 

V    .0 

1  2   7 

'  8  8 

1   L    ° 
1    4-    Q 

S    \V 

1  2  2 

|  9   3 

I    9    9 

w  .  .  .. 

1   9 

3  5 

-  -z 
Q     0 

N  w  

5  8 

6  5 

fi     *> 

-|-  Elevation  above  the  normal. 
—  Depression  below  the  normal. 


40 


RESOURCES  0$  WEST   VIRGINIA. 


RELATIVE  DIRECTION  OF  WIND  TO  RAIN. 

To  ascertain  the  relative  amount  of  rain  observed,  or  to  be 
expected,  for  each  direction  of  the  wind,  the  latter  was  tabu 
lated  for  all  the  rainy  days  during  22  years,  from  1829  to  1850. 
Dividing  the  year  into  two  equal  parts,  one  including  summer 
(April  15th  to  October  15th),  and  the  other,  winter,  (October 
15th  to  April  15th),  we  have  in  the  first  1,018  days,  and  in  the 
second  803  days  on  which  rain  fell,  and  the  corresponding 
relative  frequency,  of  each  direction  of  the  winds,  for  the  two 
seasons,  is  given  in  column  2,  of  Table  D.  As  each  wind  does 
not  occur  the  same  number  of  times,  in  any  given  period,  the 
above  numbers,  to  reduce  them  to  a  common  measure,  must  be 
divided  by  the  relative  frequency  of  each  wind  (made  out 
from  the  proper  table).  These  numbers  are  given  in  column 
3,  and  the  ratios,  in  column  4.  The  relative  frequency  of 
rain  and  wind,  is  expressed  in  percentage. 

TABLE  D. 


SUMMER, 

WINTER, 

DIRECTION 

p 

1 

| 

o' 

OF 

WIND. 

3 

ft* 

JJ    " 

Ratio, 

cr1 

i 

'irc 

Ratio, 

s*s 

g.| 

«.s 

>'! 

PH 

I3 

5-.  •+-( 

p^ 

g 

22 
81 

20 
21 

1.1 
1.5 

14 
19 

14 
22 

1.0 

0.8 

s  w  

\\r      

18 

10 

1.8 

18 

17 

1.0 

N  \V    

6 

7 

0.9 

11 

11 

1.0 

X          

12 

24 

0.5 

17 

20 

0.8 

N  E  

8 

4 

0.8 

8 

4 

0.7 

K         

4 

5 

0.8 

7 

5 

1,4 

S.E  »  

0 

9 

1,0 

11 

7 

1.5 

During  the  summer,  therefore,  the  directions  from  which 
most  rain  comes  are  S.,  S.  TV.,  and  W.,  the  S.  TV.  wind^ 
bringing  relatively  the  maximum  amount.  In  winter,  these 
directions  are,  E.,  S.  E,,  and  S.,  the  S.  E.  winds  bringing  rela 
tively  the  maximum  amount.  Rain  rarely  comes  from  the 
northward,  in  summer  or  winter. 


RESOURCES   OP   WEST   VIRGINIA. 


41 


RELATIVE  DIRECTION  OF   THE  "WIND    TO  FAIR  WEATHER. 

The  same  process  of  investigation  being  pursued  a*  above, 
the  result  of  a  tabulation  of  the  winds  on  fair  days,  during 
summer  and  winter,  for  the  years  1829  to  1833,  and  1846  to 
1850  (ten  years,  comprising  a  total  of  1,931  entries),  is  given 
in  table  E.,  expressed  in  per  cantage  : 

TABLE  E. 


DIRECTION 

OF 

WIKD. 

Summer,  April  loth  to  Oc 
tober    15th. 

Winter,   October     lOlli    to 

:              Ajtl'il     lolll. 

f| 

jL 

•§"8 

Ratio. 

Z  ^ 

;  II 

PH 

| 

1" 
c  ^        Ratio. 

I3     i 

IS 

21 
19 
9 
5 
29 
4 
5 
8 

20 
21 
10 

7 
24 
4 
5 
9 

1.0 
0.9 
0  9 
0.7 
1.2 
1.0 
1.0 
0.9 

12 
24 
17 

11 
24 
3 
3 

6 

14             0.9' 

22             l.l 
17              1.0 
11              1.0 
20             1.2 
4             0.8 
5             0.6 
7             0.9 

s  w 

\v  

K"  \\r  

NE  

E  

S.E  

Fair  weather  is  accompanied  most  frequently  by  N.  winds 
both  in  summer  and  .winter.  In  the  half  year  including 
summer,  easterly  winds  (except  S.  E.)  and  in  the  half  year 
including  winter,  westerly  winds  favor  fair  weather. 


42 


RESOURCES   OP   WEST   VIRGINIA. 


ATMOSPHERIC   PRECIPITATION. 

Table  F.  Gives   the  amounts,  and  frequency    of  rain  (or 
snow),  at  Marietta,  by  Jos.  Woods: 

TABLE  F. 


AMOUNT  IN  INCHES. 

FREQUENCY,  NO.  OF  DAYS. 

1817 

1818 

1819 

18^0 

1.46 

5.79 
2.95 
3,93 
3.50 
3,80 
4.73 
1.53 
0.20 
4.73 
2.66 
3.83 

89.11 

1821 

1.35 
4-94 
3.70 
4.24 
3.01 
3.68 
4.52 
6.50 
6.05 
1.41 
260 
1.32 

43.32 

1822 

Til 

1-65 
2.18 
5.11 
2.35 
4.09 
4.80 
2.15 
4.45 
4.31 
8.59 
2.39 

43.38 

1823 

4.42 

1.28 
6.21 
2.86 
5.08 
8.07 
691 
3.20 
2.03 

1817 

1818 

1819 

1820 

1821 

~2~ 
5 
4 
6 
4 
3 
5 
5 
5 
2 
2 
1 

44 

1822 

~~2~ 
1 
2 
5 
5 
7 
7 
4 
6 
7 
6 
4 

~56~ 

1828 

~3~ 
1 
6 

January  
February  
March  

2.50 
3.00 
3.70 
2.30 
5.90 
2.45 
8.87 
5.30 
7.10 
3.70 
2.10 
400 

3.20 
3.30 
5.57 
1.48 
4.54 
2.20 
3.26 
6.31 
1.10 
2.25 
0.70 
2.39 

3630 

7 
8 
7 
4 
9 
5 
10 
5 
5 
5 
2 
4 

71 

4 

7 
4 
6 
6 
4 
7 
6 
1 
8 
4 
4 

"eT 



...!.. 

April. 

May  

June.  . 

••• 

6 
13 
9 
5 

7 
3 
3 

July  

August. 

September  
October  
November  

"4.45 

1.00 

December  

—  - 

_ 

Yearly  Sum... 

50.92 

The  following  tables,  G.  and  H.,  give  the  amount  in  inches 
of.  rain  (or  melted  snow,  and  the  number  of  days  of  rain  (or 
snow),  observed  at  Marietta,  by  Dr.  S.  P.  Hildreth. 


RESOURCES   OF   WEST   VIRGINIA. 


43 


TABLE  G. 

Snow  Orved  a 


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44 


RESOURCES   OF   WEST   VIRGINIA. 


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1 

RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA.  45 

The  average  amount  of  rain  (and  melted  snow),  from  38 
years  of  observation,  is  42.56  inches.  The  least  quantity  ob 
served  in  any  one  year,  is  32.46  inches  (in  1856),  and  greatest 
quantity,  6L84  (in  1858). 

The  next  to  the  last  column  of  Table  G.  gives  the  monthly 
means  for  38  years  (that  of  October  for  37  years),  and  the  dif 
ferences  from  the  average  amount,  3.55  inches,  is  shown  in 
the  last  column.  The  plus  sign  in  the  months  of  May,  June, 
July  and  August,  indicates  more  than  the  average  amount. 
The  sign  minus,  with  the  remaining  months,  less  than  the 
average.  Table  F.  Contains  the  number  of  days  of  precipita 
tion,  or  the  frequency  of  rain  (and  snow).  The  column  of 
monthly  means  is  deduced  from  32  years  (on  the  average), 
and  plainly  indicates  an  annual  fluctuation,  which  is  better 
shown  in  the  last  column,  headed  difference  from  the  annual 
mean  (7.1  days).  In  February,  rain  or  snow,  falls  on  one  day 
te,  and  in  June,  rain  falls  on  two  days  more,  than  on  the  av 
erage  in  any  one  month. 

The  average  number  of  rainy  days  in  any  one  year,  is  86, 
nearly,  varying  between  44  and  113.  If  we  divide  the 
monthly  mean  amount,  by  the  average  monthly  frequency, 
we  obtain  the  average  quantity  in  any  one  day. 

AVERAGE  QUANTITY  IN  ANYONE  DAY  OF  RAIN  (OB  SNOW,) 

Incfics.  1 1  ic  hex. 

January 0,44 

February 0.51 


March 0.44 

April 0.44 

May 0.50 

June , 0.51 


July 0.53 

August 0  53 

September 0.52 

October 0.48 

November 0-52 

December ! 0.55 


The  copiousness  of  precipitation  is  nearly  the  same  through 
out  the  year.  In  summer,  the  rains  are  slightly  heavier  than 
in  winter.  On  the  average,  a  fall  of  rain  on  any  one  day, 
amounts  to  0.50  inches.  The  three  heaviest  falls  of  rain  re 
corded  on  any  one  day,  was  October  22d,  1858,  3.1  inches  ;  De 
cember  10th,  1847,  3.5  inches;  and  July  3d,  1844,  4.25  inches. 
Heavy  falls  of  rain  may,  therefore,  occur  in  mid- winter  as 
well  as  in  mid-summer. 

SNOW. 

Snow  is  recorded  to  have  fallen  as  late  as  May  13th  (in 
1829),  and  as  early  as  October  4th  (in  1836).  The  heaviest 
falls  of  snow  occurred  February  1st,  1830,  when  7  inches  fell ; 


46 


RESOURCES   OF   WEST    VIRGINIA. 


April  18th,  1854,  8  inches;  January  14th,  1831,  and  again 
December  14th,  1833,  15  inches.  Even  as  late  as  April  29th 
(in  1854)  as  much  as  four  inches  fell. 

FROST. 

Frost  is  recorded  in  every  month  of  the  warmer  half  of 
the  year,  and  quite  frequently  in  the  first  of  June.  In  1848 
there  were  4  mornings  of  frost  between  June  1st  and  13th. 
In  1843,  June  2d,  ice  formed  £  inch  thick.  Frost  occurred 
June  22d,  and  23d,  in  1846;  July  1st;  1835 ;  August  1st  and 
2d,  1842 ;  August  23d,  1835  ;  August  25th,  1832  ;  August  29th, 
1859. 

STATE  OF  THE  WEATHER. 

The  number  of  fair  and  of  cloudy  days  in  each  month,  were 
published  by  Dr.  Hildreth,  in  Silliman's  Journal  for  a  num 
ber  of  years.  To  these  were  added  the  fair  days  recorded  by 
Mr.  Wood,  making  in  all,  between  1818  and  1859,  37  results 
for  each  month,  excepting.  April,  May,  and  December,  for 
which  the  number  of  years  is  but  36. 

AVERAGE    NUMBER    OF  FAIR  DAYS,  DURING  THE    PERIOD 
FROM  1818  TO   1859. 


January 13.8 

February 13.9 

March..: 16.7 

April .  17.7 

Mav 19-4 

June 20.3 


July 21.9 

August 21.7 

September ....  20.3 

October 18.9 

November 14.5 

December ..  12.7 


The  numbers  show  a  regular  progression  during  the  year. 
In  December,  the  number  of  fair  days  is  least ;  they  increase 
each  month,  and  reach  their  maximum  in  July,  after  which 
month,  they  again  gradually  diminish. 

The  greatest  number1  of  fair  days  recorded  in  any  one 
month  is  30  (in  July  and  August),  arid  the  least  number  3 
(in  November).  The  average  aggregate  number  of  fair  days 
in  any  one  year  is  211f ;  and  of  cloudy  days,  consequently, 
153J,  varying  between  170  (in  1858,)  and  262  (in  1830).  It  is, 
therefore,  rare  that  the  number  of  fair  and  cloudy  days  in 
any  one  year,  is  equal.  Summing  up  the  number  of  fair  days 
in  each  year,  we  have  the  following  results: 


RESOURCES  OF  WEST   VIRGINIA, 

TABLE  I. 


47 


0 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

1810  

19°, 

1820  

181 

174 

iiso 

949 

?08 

1830  

9P,9 

905 

916 

222 

955 

991 

919 

994 

248 

99R 

1840  

^04 

905 

915 

193 

909 

938 

901 

198 

911 

99fi 

1850  

933 

929 

903 

991 

931 

* 

228 

200 

170 

190 

CHAPTER  III. 
AGRICULTURAL    GEOLOGY. 

BY  WM.  M.  FONTAINE. 

Under  this  head,  we  will  give  a  brief  description  of  the 
several  geological  formations  found  in  the  State,  dealing 
with  them,  in  their  agricultural  relations  mainly.  As,  how 
ever,  topography  is  so  intimately  connected  with  agriculture, 
we  may  in  this  connection,  note  those  special  features,  not 
elsewhere,  noticed. 

But  before  taking  up  the  Geological  Formations,  it  will  con 
duce  to  clearness  if  we  first  grve  some  account  of  the  charac 
ter  of  the  different  soils,  and  of  the  rocks  which  form  them. 

THE  DIFFEKENT  SOILS, 

The  following  are  the  principal  soils  existing  in  the  State : 

Clay  Soils. — These  contain  75  per  cent.,  and  over,  of  clay. 
The  remaining  25  per  cent.,  is  composed  of  sand,  calcareous, 
ferruginous,  vegetable,  and  other  matters.  In  their  physical 
character,  when  moist,  they  are  stiff  and  tenacious.  They 
dry  with  difficulty,  and  are  rather  slowly  warmed  by  the 
sun's  rays.  When  dry,  they  become  baked  to  a  more  or  less 
hard  mass,  and  are  also,  in  freezing  and  thawing,  more  apt  to 
injure  the  roots  of  plants,  than  other  soils. 

With  these  disadvantages,  however,  they  combine  many 
advantages,  and  when  properly  managed,  make  the  best  lands 
for  certain  crops. 

Stiff  Clays. — Such  as  those  just  described,  do  not  make  a 
large  proportion  of  our  soils.  They  are  chiefly  to  be  found 
in  the  eastern  and  southern  parts  of  the  State. 


RESOURCES   OF    WEST~VIRGINIA.  49 

Sandy  Soils, — Contain  75  per  cent.,  and  over,  of  sand.  The 
remaining  components  are  clay,  and  the  other  constituents, 
except  sand,  mentioned  as  occuring  in  clay  soils.  In  their 
physical  characters,  they  are  the  opposite  of  clay  soils,  and 
are  much  inferior  to  them.  They  are  loose,  thirsty  in  nature, 
and  do  not  hold  manures  well.  Hence,  a  mixture  of  sand 
and  clay  in  land  is  beneficial,  the  one  correcting  the  defects 
of  the  other.  Such  strictly  sandy  lands,  are  comparatively 
rare,  and  are  mainly  found  in  the  N.  E.  mountain  counties, 
and  in  the  outcrops  of  the  sandstones  of  the  conglomerate 
series. 

Loams. — These  are  composed  of  clay  and  sand,  mixed  in 
about  equal  proportions.  They  contain  also  various  other 
substances  like  those  found  in  the  two  above-mentioned  soils, 
making  20  to  25  per  cent,  of  the  whole.  When  clay  predom 
inates  they  are  called  clay  loams  ;  when  sand,  sandy  loams  ; 
when  lime  forms  a  large  proportion,  calcareous  loams,  or 
marls.  These  make  usually  the  most  fertile  lands  known, 
since  they  contain  all  the  elements  needed  by  the  plant,  com 
bined  with  the  best  physical  condition,  uniting  as  they  do, 
the  good  qualities  of  sandy  and  clay  soils,  so  far  as  these  arise 
from  the  texture  and  condition  of  the  land.  Every  farmer 
knows  that  the  presence  of  elements  of  fertility  is  not  all 
that  is  needed.  Good  condition  is  "  half  the  battle.'1 

Among  the  good  physical  qualities  of  loams,  we  may  men 
tion  the  following.  They  are  neither  excessively  stiff  nor 
light,  are  permeable  to  water,  but  do  not  parch,  are  quickly 
warmed  by  the  heat  of  the  sun,  permit  easy  cultivation,  and 
readily  respond  to  the  action  of  manures,  while  retaining 
them  for  some  time. 

Our  State  is  fortunate  in  having  a  large  proportion  of  such 
lands.  Indeed,  they  may  be  said  to  be  the  characteristic  soils 
of  the  country,  and  to  form  the  larger  part  of  our  surface. 
The  strata  of  the  coal  measures  above  the  conglomerate,  which 
cover  so  f large  a  portion  of  our  area,  are  peculiarly  fitted  to 
produce  the  best  class  of  these,  since  thay  consist  of  shales, 
argillaceous  sandstones,  and  layers  of  limestone,  or  calcareous 
strata,  intimately  mixed.  These  readily  break  down  under 
the  action  of  the  elements,  and  give  a  deep,  light  earth.  It 
will  not  be  necessary  to  specify  localities,  Even  where  the 


50  JtESOimCES  OF   WEST   VIRGINIA. 

rocks  under  the  coal  strata  furnish  the  material,  they  are 
usually  so  compounded  of  sandstones  and  shales,  as  by  their 
disintegration,  to  produce  such  soils. 

Calcareous  Soils. — These  are  soils  in  which  lime  forms  a  large 
constituent,  mixed  with  clay,  sand,  and  other  matters.  Such 
soils  are,  from  their  chemical  composition,  among  the  best 
that  are  known. 

In  their  physical  character,  they  resemble  more  nearly  the 
loams,  and  are  especially  suited  for  the  production  of  grass. 
Of  these  our  State  has  a  large  proportion.  As  localities  where 
the}7  occur,  we  may  mention,  Jefferson  and  a  part  of  Berkeley, 
which  contain  the  lower  silurian  limestone  of  the  u  Great 
Valley,"  with  Pocahontas,  Greenbrier,  Mercer,  and  Monroe, 
containing  the  subcarboniferous  limestone,  and  shales.  The 
northern  counties  on  the  Ohio,  with  the  limestone  of  the 
upper  coal  measures,  belong  here  also- 

Alluviums — The  alluviums  may  be  divided  into  two  classes, 
according  as  they  are  produced  by  deposits  from  turbid 
streams,  or  by  slow  surface  action.  We  may  call  the  first 
stream  alluviitm,  and  the  second  upland  alluvium. 

Stream  alluvium,  as  is  well  known,  is  produced  by  deposits 
from  streams  in  seasons  of  flood.  Such  soils  are  generally 
mixtures  of  all  the  kinds  of  matters  found  along  the  water 
courses  which  deposit  them. 

If  such  deposits  are  subject  to  occasional  overflow,  they  re 
ceive  by  this  means  a  renewal  of  their  fertilizing  components, 
and  will  then  last  indefinitely.  If  not  overflowed,  such  soils 
must,  under  continued  cultivation,  eventually  be  exhausted, 
provided  no  return  by  means  of  manures,  be  made  to  them. 

Magnificent  soils  of  this  class  are  found  in  the  State.  The 
"Bottom  Lands,"  along  our  principal  rivers,  are  widely  cele 
brated  for  their  productiveness,  and  for  the  great  length  of 
time  during  which,  they  have  been  cultivated.  Some  of 
these,  have  continued  without  intermission,  for  more  than  100 
years,  to  make  heavy  yields  of  that  most  exhausting  of  all 
crops,  Indian  corn. 

Upland  Alluvium. — This  is  produced  by  the  slow  action  of 
the  surface  waters  on  the  hill  slopes.  Such  action  tends  to  ac 
cumulate  in  the  valleys,  much  of  the  fertilizing  constituents 
of  the  hills,  and  to  carry  down  to  the  lower  levels,  much  of 


RESOURCES   OP    WEST    VIRGINIA.  51 

the  vegetation  which  year  after  year,  falls  and  decays  on  the 
higher  grounds. 

This  has  gone  on  for  ages,  and  has  finally  produced  in  the 
bottoms  a  soil  of  from  one  to  to  ten  feet,  and  more,  in  depth, 
which  combines,  in  the  highest  degree,  all  the  elements  of 
fertility.  Were  our  hillsides  formed  of  slowly  decomposing 
rocks,  this  process  would  soon  leave  them  bare.  In  fact,  how 
ever,  the  rapidity  with  which  they  break  down,  and  renew 
the  earth,  prevents  this  denudation,  while  not  checking  the 
accumulation  of  deep  soils  in  the  valleys. 

Upland  alluvium,  is  generally  more  productive  than  even 
stream  alluvium,  since  it  retains  nearly  all  the  fertilizing 
matters  which  have  been  slowly  accumulating.  On  the  other 
hand,  stream  alluvium,  being  a  deposit  from  water,  has  lost 
most  of  its  soluble  enriching  matters,  from  the  greater  or  less 
length  of  time,  during  which,  it  has  been  suspended  in 
water.  In  consequence  of  this,  these  have  been  dissolved,  and 
carried  off.  This  superior  fertility  of  the  upland  alluvium, 
explains  the  great  size  of  the  timber  which  grows  on  them. 

The  large  amount  of  vegetable  matter,  which  they  contain, 
is  one  of  the  most  important  enriching  agents.  The  humus 
of  the  hill-slopes,  gradually  works  its  way  down,  in  the  first 
place,  into  the  bottoms ;  and  then,  in  the  second  place,  the 
conditions  of  moisture,  &c.,  found  in  such  places,  specially  fa 
voring  luxurient  vegetation,  cause  large  additions  from 
growth  on  the  spot.  This  in  the  dense  shade,  moulders  away 
with  extreme  slowness. 

From  the  immense  number  of  hills  in  our  State,  the  amount 
of  bottom  land  of  this  kind  is  very  large,  that  of  the  streams 
and  uplands  together,  being  put  by  some  at  30  per  cent  of  the 
entire  area. 

THE     DIFFERENT  HOCKS. 

We  may  now  take  into  consideration  the  individual  rocks, 
and  the  part  which  they  play  in  the  production  of  soil. 

Shales. — These  rocks  are  composed  essentially  of  silica  com 
bined  with  alumina.  On  breaking  down  into  soil  they  furnish 
the.se  matters  principally  in  the  form  of  clay.  This  material 
by  itself  is  useful  to  the  plant  only,  in  giving  body  to  the  soil, 
and  thus  acting  as  a  support  for  the  roots,  and  imparting  to 


52  RESOURCES   OF   WEST   VIRGINIA. 

the  land  certain  physical  properties,  which  were  noted  under 
the  head  of  Clay.  Little  silica,  or  alumina,  is  used  by  the 
plant  as  food,  hence  a  pure  shale  would  form  a  barren  soil. 

Shales  are  however  never  without  other  substances,  and 
these,  which  in  one  sense,  we  might  call  impurities,  furnish 
most  of  the  solid  food  of  the  plants.  The  most  common  mat 
ters  mixed  with  the  essential  components  mentioned  above, 
are  as  follows.  Sand,  which  when  present  in  large  amounts, 
produces  sandy  sliales.  Iron,  which  gives  a  red  color.  Car 
bon,  especially  in  the  coal  measures,  which  imparts  a  dark  col 
or.  Lime  when  present  in  notable  amounts,  produces  calcar 
eous  shales.  Besides  these,  we  have  in  smaller  amounts,  Potash, 
Soda,  Phosphoric  acid  &c.  The  five  last  named,  are  the  prin 
cipal  supplies  of  food  to  vegeation. 

Shales  when  largely  present,  excercise  an  important  influ 
ence  on  topography,  as  was  shown  under  another  head.  Their 
presence  is  always  marked  by  irregular,  rounded,  or  conical 
hills. 

Sandstones. — They  furnish  essentially  sand,  or  silica  com 
bined.  Like  clay,  sand  yields  almost  no  food  to  vegetation, 
but  acts  physically,  in  giving  bulk,  and  in  imparting  the  prop 
erties  described  as  possessed  by  sandy  soils.  Sandstones  also  are 
never  pure,  but  contain  the  same  admixtures  as  are  found  in 
shales,  ^excpt  that  clay  takes  the  place  of  sand,  among  the  non- 
essential  ingredients. 

Sandstones  in  their  topographical  effects,  are  of  even  more 
importance  than  shales,  this  was  fully  shown  under  the  head 
of  topography.  It  will  suffice  to  say  here,  that  the  purer  they 
are,  the  less  prone  they  are  to  break  doAvn.  Sandstones,  with 
out  impurities,  are  the  most  indestructible  rocks  known. 
These  rocks  cause  shallow  and  poor  soils  of  the  sandy  class. 

The  sandstones  of  the  coal  measure,  are  always  more  or  less 
argillaceous,  and  are  broken  down  with  comparative  ease,  yet 
it  is  mainly  due  to  them  that  our  hills  maintain  their  pres 
ent  height.  It  is  remarkabe  what  preservative  influence,  a 
massive  plate  of  sandstone  exerts.  We  of  ten  find  in  the  tops 
of  our  highest  hills,  a  ledge  of  this  rock,  covering  the  summit, 
which  by  its  presence  alone  has  preserved  the  crest  from  being  . 
washed  away.  When  situated  lower  down,  it  always  betrays 
itself  by  the  formation  of  a  bench. 


RETOURCES  OF   WEST    VIRGINIA.  53 

When  the  dip  of  sandstones  is  gentle,  they  tend  to  form  flat- 
backed  hills,  and  table-lands,  when  they  stand  at  a  high 
angle,  mountain  ridges  and  chains,  are  produced.  A  mere 
glance  at  the  country,  will  often  from  the  topography,  give  in 
formation  as  to  whether  shales,  or  sandstones  predominate  in 
a  given  section.  The  high  mount  fins  in  our  north-eastern 
counties,  with  their  noted  scenic  effects,  are  due  to  the  pres 
ence,  and  preservative  influence,  of  sandstones. 

Limestones. — Limestone  contains,  essentially,  carbonate  of 
lime,  and  by  its  disintegration  forms  calcareous  soils.  Lime 
it  itself  food  for  plants.  This  stone  is  always  mixed  here  with 
other  rocks,  either  shales  or  sandstones,  which  determine  the 
texture,  and  other  physical  properties  of  the  earth,  produced 
by  their  disintegration. 

Limestones  themselves  are  often  impure,  and  contain  large 
amounts  of  magnesia,  when  they  are  called  magnesian  lime 
stone,  or  dolomite.  Silica,  and  almina  are  often  present  in 
considerable  amounts,  when  the  rock  is  fitted  for  the  produc 
tion  of  hydraulic  cement.  Iron  and  other  foreign  substances 
also  occur  in  smaller  amounts.  Impure  limestones  are  the 
most  common  kind  in  the  coal  measures,?and  are  better  soil 
producers  than  pure  ones,  since  they  disintegrate  far  more 
readily,  and  furnish  a  greater  variety  of  materials.  The  disin 
tegration  of  all,  is  much  aided  by  the  presence  of  decaying 
vegetable  matter,  which  forms  carbonic  acid,  and  changes  the 
insoluble  carbonate  into  soluble  bicarbonate.  In  this  latter 
form,  it  is  taken  up  by  plants,  or  removed  by  the  percolating 
waters. 

Limestones,  owing  to  the  evenness  with  which  they 
wear  down,  usually  give  to  the  country  in  which  they  are 
found,  a  pleasing  undulating  surface.  These  rocks  have  given 
to  much  of  Jefferson,  Berkeley,  Greenbrier,  Monroe,  &c.,  the 
surface  features  which  distinguish  them. 

It  does  not  follow  that  all  soils,  underlaid  by  limestones, 
have  a  large  amount  of  lime  in  their  'composition.  It  often 
happens  that  they  are  mainly  produced  by  the  shales  which 
accompany  the  limestones,  owing  to  their  greater  proneness 
to  break  down.  In  many  cases,  as  experience  has  shown,  ap 
plications  of  lime,  to  lands  having  a  substratum  of  massive 
limestone,  have  proved  beneficial. 


54  RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA. 

The  above  named  kinds  of  rocks  are  the  principal  soil  pro 
ducers  in  West  Virginia-  It  must  not  be  inferred  that  we 
will  find  our  lands  sharply  divided  into  classes,  such  as  we 
have  made  above,  for  the  sake  of  description.  The  three 
kinds  of  rocks  described,  occur  so  intimately  blended,  and  in 
their  decomposition  mingle  so  their  products,  that  no  sharp 
dividing  line  can  he  drawn.  It  is  the  good  fortune  of  the 
State,  that  no  one  kind  of  rock,  usurps  exclusive  possession 
of  any  great  extent  of  territory. 

THE  GEOLOGICAL  FORMATIONS. 

We  will  take  these  up  in  the  order  in  which  they  occur  in 
passing  from  east  to  west,  over  the  State,  which  is  also  the 
order  of  their  age,  commencing  with  the  oldest. 

We  may  omit  the  metamorphic,  and  primordial  strata,  as 
they  occur  only  in  the  eastern  edge  of  Jefferson,  and  have  no 
important  influence  on  the  soil  of  the  State.  The  oldest  im 
portant  formation  is  the  lower  Silurian  limestone,  which  with 
the  overlying  Hudson  River  shales,  make  up  the  greater  part 
of  Jefferson  and  Berkeley.  These  groups  consist  of  a  great 
thickness  of  limestone,  of  every  hue  and  texture,  much  of 
which  is  magnesian,  succeeded  by  soft,  easily  decomposing 
shales,  and  calcareous  bands. 

From  this  mass  of  strata  have  been  produced  the  splendid 
calcareous  soils  of  the  counties  above  named,  giving  some  of 
the  finest  land  in  this  or  any  other  State. 

Farther  west,  and  across  the  Great  Valley,  we  meet  with 
the  first  of  those  long  lines  of  mountains  which  characterize 
the  Alleghany  belt.  These  continue  in  parallel  folds  as  we  go 
west,  and  occupy  the  northeastern  portion  of  the  State  as  far 
as  Randolph,  and  Pocahontas.  These  are  composed  of  silu- 
rian  and  devonian  serata.  The  lower  silurian  limestone,  is 
not  brought  up  in  them,  but  appears,  according  to  Rogers,  in 
the  beautiful  valley  of  Crab  Orchard,  in  Pendleton,  and  gives 
to  it,  its  fertility  and  pleasing  topography. 

Following  the  Hudson  river  shales,  we  have  the  Medina 
sandstone,  a  rock  which  enters  largely  into  the  structure  of 
the  mountains  of  this  part  of  the  State,  This  is  a  massive 
sandstone,  lying  in  thick  plates,  and  from  its  highly  siliceous 
character,  it  is  specially  fitted  to  withstand  the  destructive 
action  of  the  elements,  and  to  serve  as  a  protection  for  the 


RESOURCES  OF  WEST  VIRGINIA.  55 

softer  strata  associated  with  it.  It  is  essentially  a  mountain- 
making  rock,  and  is  often  seen  in  huge  arches,  and  high 
cliffs.  It  is  the  principal  agent  in  producing  the  grandest 
scenic  effects  of  this  section.  It  is  extensively  exposed  in  the 
mountain  sides  of  Pendleton'  and  along  the  North  Fork  of  the 
South  Branch  of  the  Potomac. 

From  its  composition  it  can  produce,  where  it  forrm  the 
only  surface  rock,  nothing  but  a  thin  sandy  soil.  As  it  is 
very  unsuited  for  soil  production,  or  the  growth. of  vegetation, 
it  is  fortunate  that,  within  the  bounds  of  our  State,  it  is 
brought  up  only  along  narrow  bands,  with  a  steep  dip,  and  is 
consequently  soon  buried  beneath  the  softer  rocks  whigh 
overlie  it. 

From  its  great  permanency,  and  the  elevation  to  which  it 
has  been  thrust  up,  it  gives  to  the  county  of  Pendleton,  and 
the  adjacent  county,  its  predominance  in  altitude.  It  is 
conspicuous  in  Peter's  mountain,  on  the  southern  border  of 
the  State,  which,  in  that  quarter,  is  its  most  westerly  position. 

CLINTON  AND  ONONDAGA  GROUPS. 

These  are  mainly  soft*  slates  and  shaly  sandstones,  with 
occasional  calcareous  bands.  All  are  of  reddish  hue,  and 
readily  decompose,  with  the  production  of  a  fertile  soil. 
These  rocks  are  extensively  developed  in  Hampshire  and 
Hardy  counties,  and  exert  an  important  influence  onr,their 
soil  a'nd  topography,  from  the  ease  with  which  they*  disin 
tegrate.  Hence,  the  mountains  which  they  compose,  usually 
have  softly  rounded  or  undulating  contours,  while  the  abun 
dant  soil  which  they  yield,  serves  as  a  covering  for  the  bare 
ledges  of  the  Medina  Sand  Stone. 

LOWER  HELDERBURG  LIMESTONE. 

Overlying  these,  we  have  the  strata  of  the  Lower  Helder- 
berg  limestone,  forming  an  important  element  in  the  agricul 
tural  resources  of  the  region.  This  formation  has  at  thejbot- 
tom,  many  alternations  of  shale,  with  limestone  beds,  but 
it  is  mainly  composed  of  a  rather  massive  limestone.  Toward 
the  top,  it  assumes  a  siliceous  character,  producing  a  peculiar 
sandy  looking  rock  on  weathering,  and  causing  a  decided  im 
provement  in  the  physical  character  of  the  soil  formed  from  it. 

This  limestone  is  of  the  more  importance,  since,  as  Rogers 


56  RESOURCES  OF   WEST   VIRGINIA. 

says,  it  is  the  only  one  exposed  over  wide  districts  of  the 
mountain  region,  and  since  it  often  spreads  out  along  the 
tops,  or  on  the  flanks  of  the  hroader  ridges.  In  Hampshire, 
Hardy,  Pendleton,  etc.,  numerous  available  quarries  may  be 
found,  furnishing  good  lime  for  building  or  agricultural  pur 
poses.  This  point  is  of  special  importance,  for/as  Rogers  has 
with  truth  stated,  the  soils  furnished  by  the  Hamilton  and 
Portage  groups  are  spread  over  an  extensive  area  in  this  sec 
tion,  and  these  are  of  a  character  to  be  specially  benefited  by 
applications  of  lime. 

THE  ORISKANY  SANDSTONE. 

This  follows  next  in  the  order  ascending,  and  is  another 
mountain-making  rock.  It  is  an  open-grained  sandstone  of 
massive  texture,  occuring  usually  in  massive  beds,  dipping 
steeply  along  the  mountain,  and  quite  bare  of  vegetation. 
This  rock  has  the  same  effect  as  the  Medina  sandstone,  on  the 
topography.  A  noble  specimen  of  it  may  be  seen  in  the 
"  Hanging  Rocks,"  near  Romney,  in  Hampshire,  where  the 
strata  are  thrown  into  three  stupendous  arches.  Nearly  all 
the  mountains  of  Hampshire,  Hardy.  Pendleton,  Pocahontas, 
etc.,  exhibit  exposures  of  this  formation.  As  a  soil  producer, 
it  acts  in  general  like  the  Medina,  but,  as  it  is  more  prone  to 
disintegrate,  forming  a  white  sand,  it  is  not  so  persistent  as 
that  rock. 

HAMILTON  AND  PORTAGE  GROUPS, 

These  are  of  great  importance,  for  several  reasons,  as  will 
appear  from  our  description  of  them.  The  Hamilton  strata 
are  almost  entirely  composed  of  shales,  and  argillaceous  rocks, 
of  a  slaty  nature,  while  the  Portage^consist  of  a  mass  of  alter 
nating  thin- bedded  shales  and  sandstones.  Both  are  of  great 
thickness,  and  are  very  easily  broken  down  into  a  loamy  soil, 
which  is  deficient  in  calcareous  ('matter,  and  more  or  less 
charged  with  copperas  and  other  mineral  salts. 

These  rocks  overspread  a  considerable  extent  of  surface, 
usually  forming  the  hilly  broken  country,  found  in  the  foot 
hills  along  the  main  mountain  ranges,  and  the  gentler  slopes'" 
of  the  mountains  themselves.  From  their  likeness  to  the 
strata  of  the  coal  measures,  in  their  physical  character,  they 
produce  a  topography  closely  resembling  that  usually  seen  in 
the  Hilly  Region, 


RESOURCES   OF   WEST    VIRGINIA.  57 

In  the  vicinity  of  the  White  Sulphur  Springs,  the  main 
Alleghany  is  entirely  composed  of  them,  as  well  as  much  of 
the  country  between  that  range  and  the  Greenbrier  river.  To 
the  softness  of  these  strata,  is  due  the  lowness  of  this  range  in 
this  section,  viz.:  2,320  feet. 

Perhaps  their  greatest  importance  is  due  to  the  fact,  that 
they  furnish  material  to  a  great  number  of  noted  mineral 
springs,  among  which,  it  will  suffice  to  mention,  the  widely 
known  Greenbrier  White  Sulp'hur.  They  are  especially  fitted 
for  the  production  of  medicinal  springs,  from  the  large 
amount  of  iron  pyrites,  carbonaceous,  and  other  matters  which 
they  contain,  and  from  their  highly  contorted  and  broken 
condition. 

The  pyrites  decomposes  with  great  readiness,  and  the  reac 
tions  between  the  products  formed,  and  other  components  of 
the  shales  especially  of  the  Hamilton  group,  give  rise  to 
various  sulphates,  hydrogen  sulphide,  &c.,  which  impart  to 
the  waters  in  which  they  are  dissolved,  various  medicinal 
properties. 

Among  the  localities  in  which  these  strata  occur,  we  may 
mention  the  following  :  They  form  a  large  portion  of  the 
main  Alleghany  on  the  east  border  of  Pocahontas.  Along  the 
sides  of  the  anticlinal  ridges,  of  Capon,  Sandy,  Patterson's 
Creek,  South  Branch,  Knobbly,  and  North  Fork  mountians, 
they  are  extensively  exposed,  as  well  as  in  the  intervening 
valleys.  The  soils  which  the  strata  in  question  furnish,  though 
in  physical  properties  good,  yet  are  apt  to  be  charged  with  an 
excess  of  acid  from  the  abundance  of  pyrites,  and  the  defi 
ciency  of  lime.  Artificial  applications  of  lime  would  be 
especially  beneficial  to  such  soils,  since  they  would  correct  the 
acidity,  and  at  the  same  time  produce  gypsum,  which  is  a 
valuable  fertilizing  salt. 

CHEMUWG    AND    CATSKILL. 

These  groups  have  never  been  separated  in  West  Virginia, 
and  indeed  we  cannot  as  yet  say  whether  any  distinct  Catskill 
group  exists  at  all  here.  This  point,  however,  for  our  present 
purpose,  is  of  little  importance,  as  both  groups  have  the  same 
general  character,  so  far  as  their  relations  to  agriculture  are 
concerned.  They  consist  of  a  great  thickness  of  sandstones, 
generally  argillaceous,  and  shales  usually  of  some  shade  of 


58  RESOURCES   OF   WEST   VIRGINIA. 

red.  Some  of  the  shales  of  these  formations  are  of  a  very  soft 
and  crumbling  nature,  and  readily  fall  to  a  stiff  red  clay  soil. 
The  sandstones  furnish  a  loam,  and  from  their  predominance, 
cause  the  soil  formed,  to  have  a  much  more  open  texture  than 
it  would  possess  if  formed  from  the  shales  alone.  The  pro 
ducts  of  decomposition  have  a  large  amount  of  peroxide  of  iron, 
from  the  presence  of  decomposing  pyrites.  Though  not  void 
of  lime,  applications  of  this  material  would  be  highly  benefi 
cial.  Thus  treated,  the  soils  produced  by  these  strata,  would 
form  some  of  the  most  productive  lands  in  the  State. 

These  rocks  do  not  occupy  so  extensive  an  area,  as  the  pre 
ceding  Hamilton  and  Portage.  They  ferm  a  considerable 
belt,  between  the  Alleghany  mountains,  in  the  vicinity  of  the 
White  Sulphur,  and  the  Greenbrier  river,  and  in  the  X.  E. 
part  of  the  State,  some  of  the  Alleghany  ranges  themselves 
are  composed  of  them.  They  are  shown  between  Hunters- 
ville  and  the  Greenbrier  river,  also  in  Town  Hill,  Big  and  Lit 
tle  Timber  Ridges,  and  in  the  Shenandoah  mountain,  forming 
the  most  elevated  part  of  the  range, 

VESPERTINE  STRATA. 

This  is  a  threefold  group,  composed  at  the  base,  of  coarse 
sandstone  and  conglomerates;  in  the  middle,  of  gray,  flaggy 
sandstones,  with  some  little  coal ;  and  on  the  top.  of  red 
crumbling  shales,  like  those  of  the  preceding  group.  The 
lower,  and  middle  portions,  form  very  little  of  our  surface,  but 
the  upper  red  shaleb  are  rather  more  important,  as  they  over 
spread  some  extent  of  country  in  Pocahontas,  Greenbrier, 
Monroe  and  Mercer,  lying  east  of,  and  immediately  adjacent 
to  the  limestone  soils  of  the  umbral.  From  the  resemblance 
of  these  shales  to  those  of  the  umbral  series,  overlving  the 
limestone,  they  have  been  usually  confounded  with  the  latter. 
The  physical  character  of  the  soils  furnished  by  these  vesper- 
tive  rocks,  is  the  same  with  that  described  above,  as  belonging 
to  the  Chemung  and  Catskill  shale  products. 

In  this  case,  however,  the  chemical  character  is  much  bet 
ter,  for  the  vespertine  red  shales  have  more  or  less  lime,  some 
times  enough  to  render  them  worthy  of  the  name  calcareous, 
and  in  all  cases  they  are  impregnated  with  a  sufficiency  to 
to  produce  a  fertile  soil.  These  strata  are  sometimes  to  be 
seen  within  the  area  occupied  by  the  productive  coal  measures, 


RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA.  59 

appearing  as  far  west  as  Laurel  Hill,  in  the  northern  part  of 
the  State,  also  in  the  western  part  of  Randolph,  and  in  other 
localities.  When  thus  seen,  .they  usually  appear  along  eroded 
anticlinal  lines  of  uplift. 

THE    UMBRAL. 

This,  the  next  succeeding  series,  is,  as  a  soil  producer,  the 
most  important  of  all  the  formations  preceding  the  product 
ive  coals,  This  importance  is  given  it,  both  by  the  considera 
ble  area  which  it  occupies,  and  the  fertility  of  much  of  the 
land  which  it  produces. 

This  again  is  a  complex  series,  being  at  bottom  limestone, 
followed  by  a  great  mass  of  argillaceous  sandstones  and  shales, 
most  of  which  are  of  a  deep  red  color.  The  limestone  is  of  very 
various  character.  The  purer  kinds  are  dark  bluish  in  color, 
and  burn  to  a  good  lime.  The  impure  varieties,  are  sandy  and 
shaly,  disintegrating  readily,  and  producing  a  tenacious  clayey 
soil,  of  a  light  yellow  color,  and  great  fertility.  The  rocks  of 
this  class  have  given  to  the  counties  in  which  they  occur,  the 
productive  character  for  which  they  are  noted.  The  ease  with 
which  most  of  the  sandstones  and  shales,  which  overlie  the 
limestone  have  been  broken  down  and  removed,  has  given  to 
the  country  that  smoothness  of  surface  which  we  see,  and  ac 
counts  for  the  fact  that  the  plateau  of  Greenbrier,  as  else 
where  noted,  is  600  to  800  feet  lower  than  than  the  conglom 
erate  plateau  lying  to  the  west  of  it.  The  limestone  occupies 
much  of  the  surface,  because  the  work  of  denudation  has  re 
moved  the  overlying  softer,  and  less  resistent  shales,  and  sand 
stones. 

Beginning  in  the  north,  the  area  occupied  by  this  series  is 
less  extensive,  both  because  it  is  thinner  there,  and  the  dip 
which  affects  it  is  steeper.  Coming  south,  the  group  thickens 
rapidly,  and  the  dip  flattens  out,  so  that  the  rocks  in  question 
overspread  a  wide  area,  in  Greenbrier,  Pocahontas,  Summers, 
Mercer  and  Monroe.  The  red  shales  of  the  umbral,  are  es 
pecially  remarkable  for  their  deep  and  brilliant  colors,  and  the 
the  readiness  with  which  they  fall  to  a  tenacious  clayey  soil. 
Our  strongest  clays  are  found  among  these  lands. 


60  RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA. 

THE  CARBONIFEROUS  FORMATION. 

This  overspreads  by  far  the  largest  area  in  the  State.  We 
have  already,  under  other  heads,  amply  explained  the  charac 
ter  of  the  soil,  produced  by  this  formation,  especially  that 
portion  producing  coals  generally  workable,  as  well  as  the 
peculiar  topography  produced.  Of  the  conglomerate  number, 
we  may  say  in  addition,  that  the  highly  siliceous  character  of 
its  upper  member,  unfits  it  for  the  production  of  either 
a  deep,  or  fertile  soil.  It  is  fortunate  then,  that  gener 
ally  there  is  a  sufficient  remnant  left  over  it,  of  the  softer  pro 
ductive  coals,  to  cover  it  with  a  good  depth  of  earth. 

Of  the  productive  coals  themselves,  we  may  repeat  in  this 
connection,  that  they  consist  of  an  intimate  interstratifica- 
tion  of  sandstones,  shales,  and  calcereous  bands,  all  fall 
ing  readily  to  earth,  and  producing  a  light  grey  loam,  of  the 
best  physical  character,  and  with  abundant  elements  of  fer 
tility.  Calcareous  matter  is  alwas  present,  whether  visible  as 
limestone  or  not,  and  this  accounts  for  the  great  adaptation  of 
these  lands  for  grass.  Strangers  note  the  fact  with  surprise, 
that  the  grass  grows  green  and  luxuriant  throughout  the 
summer,  on  the  hillsides,  up  to  their  tops. 

This  is  due  to  the  fact,  as  suggested  by  Diss  Debar,  that  these 
strata  are  practically  horizontal,  and  the  percolating  waters, 
following  their  upper  surfaces,  find  exit  all  along  up  the  slope, 
giving  a  supply  of  moisture  even  in  the  drye&t  seasons.  On 
the  other  hand,  when  strata  are  highly  inclined,  they  conduct 
away  the  waters  into  the  bowels  of  the  earth. 

The  uppermost  members  of  the  carbonifierous  formation, 
where  shown  on  the  Ohio  river,  in  the  north  of  the  State, 
contain  important  limestones,  and  these,  with  their  associated 
calcareous  shales,  overspread  a  considerable  area  in  the  Pan 
handle  counties,  giving  in  that  quarter  a  soil  which,  in  pro 
ductiveness,  rivals  the  best  Ohio  river  bottoms. 

The  stranger,  in  passing  through  our  State,  along  the  main 
lines  of  travel,  would  be  apt  to  draw  conclusions  concerning 
our  soil  and  topography,  which  would  be  erroneous  when 
applied  to  the  larger  part  of  our  area.  The  principal  rail 
roads,  such  as  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio,  and  the  Chesapeake 
and  Ohio,  pass  in  their  search  for  smaller  grades,  through  the 


RESOURCES   OF   WEST    VIRGINIA.  61 

bottoms  of  gorges,  and  follow  the  streams  closely  in  their 
deeply  sunken  channels.  From  what  we  have  said  concern 
ing  the  character  of  the  tops  of  the  hills  and  plateaus,  which 
adjoin  these  canon-like  stream  beds,  it  will  be  seen  that  the 
inspection  of  the  one  can  give  no  idea  of  the  character  of  the 
other. 


CHAPTER  IV. 
FARM   PRODUCTS. 

BY    WM.    M.    FONTAINE. 
GENERAL  REMARKS. 

The  present  conditions,  and  the  prospects  of  agricul 
ture  in  West  Virginia,  cannot  be  understood  without  some 
explanation.  Any  present  exhibit  of  her  productions  from 
the  soil  would  not  give  a  fair  idea  of  her  capabilities.  It  will 
be  readily  seen  that  the  capacity  of  no  new  country,  can  be 
fairly  judged  by  her  productions  at  any  given  given  time. 
Census  reports,  and  statistics,  may  afford  us  data  to  determine 
the  resources  of  old,  and  well  populated  regions,  where  all 
the  branches  of  industry  have  adjusted  themselves  into  har 
monious  working  order,  and  each  pursuit  is  maintained  by  a 
sufficient  body  of  laborers,  trained  for  their  special  calling. 
This  is  far  from  being  the  case  in  West  Virginia.  Almost 
every  condition  requisite  for  the  present  full  development  of 
her  abundant  resources  is  wanting.  Her  population  is  sparse, 
much  of  her  land  is  still  in  the  primeval  forests,  and  bier 
people  have  not  confined  their  attention  to  special  fields  of 
labor  and  striven  to  perfect  them.  There  has  also  been  a 
great  deficiency  of  labor  and  capital.  Last,  but  not  least,  rail 
ways  and  roads,  until  of  late,  have  been  rare  within  her  bor 
ders.  With  respect  to  this  last  feature,  much  has  recently 
been  done,  and  very  much  more  is  projected,  so  that  we  may 
soon  hope  to  see  generally  introduced  into  our  State,  that 
great  stimulus  to  active  farming,  a  ready  and  cheap  transpor 
tation  to  market. 

For  the  general  and  thorough  working  of  our  lands,  we 
greatly  need  an  immigration  of  industrious  settlers.  Thou- 


RESOURCES  OF   WEST   VIRGINIA.  63 

sands  pass  yearly  through  our  State  to  the  far  west,  not  know 
ing  that  here  they  can  find  an  abundance  of  untouched  virgin 
land,  at  nominal  prices,  and  with  a  fertility  not  surpassed  by 
any  which  they  can  hope  to  gain  in  the  remote  west.  But 
suppose  that  lands  were  higher,  and  poorer  here,  our  climate 
and  proximity  to  the  great  markets,  must  ever  give  us  a  great 
advantage  over  farmers  who,  when  they  make  a  good  crop, 
find  it  destroyed  at  one  blow,  by  the  ravages  of  insects,  by 
tornadoes,  or  floods  of  rain ;  and  who,  if  successful  in  escap 
ing  their  numerous  enemies,  find  all  profits  swallowed  up  in 
charges  for  transportation  to  markets  which  lie  at  our  doors. 
But  these  are  not  the  only,  or  chief  causes  which  have  les 
sened  the  amount  of  farm  products  with  us.  The  way  in 
which  the  State  was  settled,  and  the  consequent  habits  of  her 
inhabitants,  have  been  unfavorable  to  the  existence  of  exten 
sive  or  skilled  farming,  and  have  directed  the  industry  of  the 
people  into  almost  every  other  channel.  The  original  settlers 
were  to  a  large  extent  men  without  means,  who,  on  entering 
this  country,  then  cut  off  from  all  exit  to  market,  were  con 
tent  to  clear  small  patches  of  ground,  whose  generous  response 
to  even  poor  cultivation,  yielded  returns  sufficient  to  supply 
their  limited  wants.  His  little  "  clearing,"  selected  in  the  most 
convenient  spot,  was  cultivated  by  the  pioneer  year  after  year, 
in  corn,  and  vegetables,  which  served  to  support  his  family 
along  with  a  hog  or  two,  and  possibly  a  horse  and  a  cow,  with 
fowls,  and  the  abundant  game  in  the  forests  around,  there  was 
abundance  of  meat  and  bread.  Even  now,  in  many  parts  of 
the  State,  this  is  the  mode  of  life. 

When  the  original  clearing  was  exhausted  by  long  tillage? 
an  addition  was  made  by  felling  more  timber.  Thus  the 
cleared  lands  gradually  grew  around  the  cabins,  until  ex 
tensive  openings  were  made,  but  still  without  causing 
attempts  at  establishing  communication  with  the  outside 
world.  This  independent  mode  of  life  impressed  upon  the 
people  habits  of  thought  and  action,  which,  though  Calculated 
to  foster  industry,  frugality,  and  hardiness,  were  not  most 
favorable  for  the  promotion  of  undertakings  which  require 
communication  with,  and  dependence  upon,  other  countries. 

We  see  at  the  present  day  the  influence  of  this  training. 
Until  of  late  West  Virginians  have  paid  but  small  attention 


64  RESOURCES   OF   WEST    VIRGINIA. 

to  the  raising  of  agricultural  products  for  exportation.  They 
are  usually  content  with  the  production  of  a  sufficiency  for  home 
consumption.  But  rarely  is  an  improved  system  of  farming 
employed,  and  the  cultivation  is  of  the  rudest  kind.  The  ten 
dency  is  to  look  to  other  sources  than  the  farm  for  products  of 
exchange.  As  an  example, this  spirit  has  led  our  people  along 
all  the  streams  which  can  float  a  raft,  to  denude  the  forests  of 
the  magnificent  timber  which  the}  afford,  often  sacrificing  it 
in  the  most  prodigal  manner.  So,  too,  they  turn  their  atten 
tion,  when  the  liner  timber  lias  been  removed,  to  the  getting 
of  tan-bark,  hoop-poles,  £c.,  etc.,  which  business  occupies  a 
very  important  position  among  our  industries.  All  of  these 
causes  have  led  to  a  neglect  of  agriculture,*and  stock  farming, 
industries  for  which,  especially  the  latter,  our  State  is  pecu 
liarly  fitted.  Of  course,  there  are  important  exceptions, 
especially  along  the  Ohio,  and  in  the  older  counties,  as  in 
Greenbrier,  in  the  South  Branch  district,  &c.  Besides,  we 
are  speaking  rather  of  what  has  been,  of  late  years  there  has 
been  a  marked  improvement,  and  we  are  being  forced  into 
those  industrial  channels  which  nature  intended  that  we 
should  follow.  The  opening  of  important  lines  of  railroad 
has  brought  capital  to  develop  our  coals  and  iron,  and  the 
established  value  of  these,  bids  fair  to  bring  other  lines  within 
our  limits.  The  increased  amount  of  cleared  land,  has  given 
greater  impetus  to  stock  rasing,  which  has  been  still  farther 
increased  by  the  dictates  of  a  sounder  system  of  agriculture. 
This  has  taught  us  to  keep  our  hillsides,  with  their  easily 
washed  soils,  as  much  in  grass  as  possible,  and  the  ready 
money  returns  which  our  sheep,  wool,  and  the  cattle  pur 
chased  in  the  fields,  bring  us,  tend  strongly  in  the  same  direc 
tion.  Again,  our  people  are  no  longer  satisfied  with  the  mis 
erable  roads,  which  have  been  no  small  obstacle  in  the  way 
of  farming.  More  attention,  also,  is  paid  to  systematic  farm 
ing,  although!  much  yet  remains  to  be  done  in  that  direction 

Our  State  at  present  pays  more  attention  to  corn,  than  an}^ 
other  crop.  To  the  production  of  this,  the  soil  and  climate 
are  well  adapted.  When  the  lands  produce  grass,  and  espe 
cially  on  the  calcareous  soils,  the  following  rotation  has  been 
found  advantageous.  First  corn,  one  or  two  years,  then  oats, 
then  wheat,  then  grass;  clover,  timothy,  or  both  mixed.  The 


RESOURCES  OF   WEST   VIRGINIA.  65 

land,  if  productive  enough,  may  be  grazed  during  the  whole 
time  it  is  in  grass.  When  the  Blue  Grass  grows  spontane 
ously,  as  it  does  over  most  of  the  State,  it  tends  to  overrun 
meadows,  and  hence  foreign  grasses,  such  as  clover  and  tim 
othy,,  cannot  be  maintained  for  any  great  length  of  time. 
The  farmers  on  the  calcareous  soils  of  the  Panhandle,  say 
that  their  hills  grow  grass  almost  as  well  as  the  bottom  lands, 
but  on  neither  can  they  keep  timothy  longer  than  five  years  as 
the  predominant  grass.  After  this  period,  Blue  Grass  takes 
the  ground,  and  this,  being  indigenous,  maintains  possession 
indefinitely,  forming  excellent  pastures.  It  is  claimed  that 
the  land  improves  so  long  as  it  is  in  either  grass.  The  Blue 
Grass  pasture  is  again  broken  up  and  the  same  routine  takes 
place.  The  same  rotation  essentially  is  followed  in  other  grass 
lands  with  beneficial  results.  Rye  and  barley  may  be  substi 
tuted  as  small  grain  crops. 

In  the  uplands  of  the  South  Branch  district,  of  the  N.  E. 
counties,  which  is  a  fine  grazing  region,  and  produces  fine 
grain  and  hay  in  the  bottoms,  the  rotation  of  crops  is,  corn, 
wheat,  clover,  and  occasionally  rye  or  buckwheat.  This  rota 
tion  may  perhaps  be  taken  to  represent  a  good  succession  for 
any  highland  grain  district. 

The  census  reports,  never  absolutely  accurate  for  even  old 
and  thickly  settled  States,  are  peculiarly  liable  to  error  in  our 
State,  from  the  sparseness  of  the  population,  the  difficulty  of 
procuring  data,  etc.,  etc.  Thus,  among  other  things,  the  pro 
portion  of  woodland,  to  cleared,  and  improved  land,  as  given 
in  them,  is  far  too  small.  Many  parts  of  the  State,  especially 
"the  S.  and  S.  W.,  are  almost  in  their  original  condition  of 
forests,  and  almost  the  entire  acreage  should  have  been  given 
as  woodland.  In  some  counties  an  absurdly  small  amount  of 
woodland  is  given.  In  another  important  point  we  are  grossly 
misrepresented.  This  is  in  the  amount  of  our  forest  products. 
The  money  value  of  the  forest  products  of  the  whole  State  is 
put  at  $368,668.  The  city  of  Wheeling  alone  pays  more  than 
that  amount.  This  we  mention  merely  to  call  attention  to  the 
fact  that  no  adequate  exhibit  of  the  products  of  the  State,  is 
made  in  any  accessible  statistics. 

As  to  the  character  of  the  crops,  fruits,  etc.,  that  may  be 
raised  within  the  State,  it  will  be  easily  seen  that   it  must  be 
9 


66  RESOU&CES  OF   WEST   VIRGINIA. 

very  varied.  No  State  has  a  greater  variety  of  soil  within 
certain  limits,  and  few  have  a  greater  range  of  elevation,  vary 
ing  as  ours  does,  from  500  feet  to  4,000  feet.  Between  the  sum 
mits  of  the  mountains  in  the  northeast,  and  the  valley  of  the 
Ohio,  in  the  southwest,  we  have  a  climatal  difference  of  at 
least  14°. 

INDIAN  CORN. 

Two  circumstances  have  combined  to  make  Indian  corn  by 
far  the  most  important  crop  in  the  State.  The  first  is,  that 
the  soil  and  climate  are  more  generally  adapted  to  the  produc 
tion  of  corn,  than  of  any  other  grain.  The  most  common  soil 
is  a  loam,  with  more  or  less  sand  and  calcareous  matter.  As 
a  rule  the  alluvial  bottoms  along  streams,  have  more  sand  than 
the  hills.  This  soil  is  usually  light,  quick,  easily  penetrated 
by  the  heat  of  the  sun,  and  whether  in  bottoms,  or  on  fresh 
uplands,  has  and  abundance  of  vegetable  matter.  In  such 
lands,  corn  produces  abundantly,  with  the  very  poorest  culti 
vation.  The  astonishing  yields  ot  corn  on  bottoms  formed  of 
such  soils,  may  be  best  seen  by  some  examples.  Some  of  the 
Ivanawha  bottoms  have  been  cultivated  in  corn  eighty  consec 
utive  years  without  diminution  of  yield.  Blenerhasset  Island, 
in  the  Ohio,  in  Wood  county,  has  produced,  in  some  parts,  for 
more  than  fifty-seven  }7ears,  crops  of  corn  of  an  average  of  eighty 
bushels  (sometimes  110),  without  fertilizers. 

Some  of  the  lands  in  the  South  Branch  district,  in  Hamp 
shire  and  Hardy,  have  been  cultivated  in  corn  for  one  hundred 
years,  with  continued  high  yields  (eighty  to  ninety  bushels 
per  acre),  though  unaided  by  manures.  The  Ohio  bottoms  are 
not  inferior  in  productiveness. 

These  examples  may  serve  to  illustrate,  not  only  the  amaz 
ing  productiveness  of  these  alluvial  loams,  but  also  to  show 
the  vicious  system  of  cultivation  practiced  by  too  many  of 
our  farmers,  in  continuing  the  same  crop  so  long. 

While  the  hills  do  not,  of  course,  usually  have  a  sufficient 
depth  of  soil  to  permit  such  long  continued  cultivation,. with 
remunerative  returns,  yet  when  freshly  cleared  and  full  of  veg 
etable  matter,  or  when  properly  managed,  though  not  fresh, 
they  are  hardly  inferior  to  the  lowlands.  As  an  example, 
many  of  the  hills  along  the  Ohio  river,  when  farmed  systemat 
ically,  not  uncommonly  produce  crops  of  eighty  to  one  hundred 
bushels  per  acre. 


RESOURCES  OP   WEST   VIRGINIA.  67 

We  may  find  the  second  cause  which  gives  corn  the  predom 
inance,  in  the  greater  usefulness  of  this  grain  as  a  food  for 
both  man  and  beast,  and  also,  to  a  certain  extent,  in  inherited 
tendencies.  We  have  seen,  in  speaking  of  the  pioneer  settler, 
how  far  this  grain  alone  supplied  his  wants.  With  his  descend 
ants  it  plays  a  no  less  important  part.  In  the  newer  counties, 
settled  in  the  manner  above  described,  corn  meal  almost  ex 
cludes  flour  in  the  production  of  bread.  Nearly  all  of  the  crop 
is  consumed  within  the  State,  either  as  food  for  the  family,  or 
in  fattening  stock.  From  the  increasing  attention  paid  to 
stock  raising,  the  amount  consumed  in  the  last  mentioned  way 
is  steadily  on  the  increase.  An  additional  advantage  in  this 
mode  of  disposing  of  corn,  is  found  in  the  fact,  that  from  the 
droppings  of  the  cattle,  the  material  removed  is  restored  to  the 
land. 

Whatever  corn  is  not  thus  consumed,  finds  ready  market  in 
the  small  towns,  or  among  new  settlers.  Corn  by  these  means 
has  maintained,  especially  in  the  interior,  a  pretty  constant 
price,  almost  never  falling  below  50  cents  per  bushel. 

As  might  be  inferred  from  what  has  been  said  about  our 
soils  and  climate,  it  is  a  sure  crop.  No  total  failure  has  occur 
red  since  its  first  cultivation.  Notwithstanding  the  fact  that 
corn  is  our  principal  crop,  we  may  repeat  concerning 
it,  what  was  said  above  of  our  productions  generally.  The 
present  production  is  by  no  means  a  measure  of  what  may  be 
done.  Most  of  the  crop  raised,  is  produced  on  freshly  cleared 
land,  in  the  midst  of  stumps  and  roots,  with  very  imperfect 
tillage. 

As  illustrating  the  effect  of  habit  in  inducing  preference  for 
the  cultivation  of  certain  crops,  we  may  take  the  cultivation 
of  corn  in  this  State. 

In  those  counties  which  were  settled  by  hunters  and  trap 
pers,  and  cleared  in  small  patches,  however  large  a  body  of 
cleared  land  they  may  now  possess,  or  however  thickly  they 
may  be  settled,  we  find  corn  and  oats  to  be  by  far  the  most 
important  crop.  This  is  not  due  entirely  to  the  greater  fitness 
of  the  land  for  the  cultivation  of  these  grains.  On  the  con 
trary,  the  soil  of  many  of  these  counties,  is  well  adapted  for 
the  growth  of  wheat  and  tobacco.  The  exclusive  cultivation 
of  corn  is  due  in  part  to  that  spirit  of  imitation,  and  tendency 


68  RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA. 

to  travel  in  well-worn  ruts,  which,  perhaps,  are  shown  more 
strikingly  in  the  farming  profession  than  in  any  other  call 
ing.  On  the  other  hand,  we  find  nearly  till  the  wheat  of  the 
State  to  be  produced  in  the  older  counties,  which  were  settled 
by  men  of  some  means  from  the  Atlantic  slope.  Other  causes 
operated  to  produce  this  result  in  the  cultivation  of  wheat. 
Of  these,  we  we  will  speak  when  we  come  to  consider  the  cul 
tivation  of  that  grain. 

Unfortunately,  the  descendants  of  the  pioneers  did  not 
inherit  from  them  only  their  preference  for  corn  raising,  but 
acquired  from  that  source  an  almost  incurable  taste  for  slovenly 
agriculture,  one  of  the  fruits  of  which,  we  see  in  the  disposi 
tion,  so  prevalent,  to  continue  the  cultivation  of  the  same 
grain  on  a  piece  of  land  just  as  long  as  it  will  bring  anything. 

We  have  unfortunately  no  data  for  the  determination  of 
what  kinds  of  corn  have  been  found  to  succeed  best  on  the 
different  soils,  and  under  the  various  climatal  conditions 
found  in  the  State.  Many  varieties,  both  of  white  and  yellow 
corn  are  used.  In  many  parts  of  the  State  the  yellow  varie 
ties  are  preferred,  as  it  is  stated,  they  give  a  better  ilavored 
and  more  nutritious  meal. 

What  has  been  found  true  of  Tennessee  will  apply  to  the 
cultivation  of  corn  in  a  large  portion  of  our  State.  The 
gourd  seed,  a  large  cob  variety,  is  preferred  in  that  State  for 
river  and  creek  lands,  and  the  yellow  corn  fur  their  rolling 
uplands.  Varieties  that  mature  more  quickly  would  be  better 
for  the  higher  plateau  and  mountain  districts. 

The  total  yield  of  corn  in  the  State,  as  given  in  the  census 
of  1770,  is  8,198,865  bushels.  The  average  yield  may  betaken 
to  be  35  bushels  per  acre. 

WHEAT- 

We  have  already  adverted  to  the  fact  that  nearly  all  the 
wheat  raised  in  the  State,  is  produced  in  the  older  and  more 
thickly  settled  counties,  and  intimated  that  this  state  of 
things  is  not  entirely  due  to  the  greater  fitness  of  these  couii- 
tiek  for  wheat  raising.  Here,  too,  we  trace  the  influence  of 
inherited  tendencies.  As  evidence  of  this,  we  may  call  atten 
tion  to  the  fact  that  in  said  counties  attempts  to  cultivate 
wheat  are  persisted  in  under  the  most  discouraging  circum 
stances,  where  other  grain  crops  would  pay  far  better.  An- 


RESOURCES    OF    WEST    VIRGINIA.  69 

other  and  more  important  cause  which  has  operated  to  confine 
wheat  growing  mainly  to  the  older  counties,  is  the  fact  that 
in  such  districts,  the  condition  of  the  land  is  more  favorable 
for  successful  cultivation  of  the  grain.  Here  we  find  large 
bodies  of  open  lands  which  have  been  long  cleared  and  kept 
under  thorough  cultivation.  Preparation  can  be  made  in  time 
for  early  seeding,  and  harvesting,  threshing,  &e.,  economically 
managed.  Besides,  the  inducements  are  greater.  More  wheat 
is  consumed  at  home,  and  the  access  to  market  is  often  easier. 

In  some  of  the  more  highly  cultivated  counties,  such  as 
Harrison,  Marshall,  £c.,  crops  of  30  bushels  are  frequently 
obtained. 

The  case  is  different  in  the  newer  sections.  Cleared  bind 
has  been  less  abundant,  the  foul  condition  of  the  new 
grounds  has  permitted  no  thorough  ploughing,  and  caused 
great  waste  in  harvesting  and  threshing.  The  greater  taste 
of  the  people  for  corn  meal,  the  limited  demand  for  wheat  as 
an  article  of  food  for  man  alone,  and  the  inacccessible  position 
of  many  of  these  counties,  have  all  tended  to  lower  the  pro 
duction  of  this  grain  in  such  sections.  We  may  state  here 
that  this  condition  of  things  is  rapidly  changing  with 
the  increased  amounts  of  cleared  land,  and  the  greater  atten 
tion  paid  to  improved  farming. 

The  above  mentioned  causes  arc  independent  of  the  condi 
tions  of  soil  and  climate.  These  will  ever  operate  to  keep  the 
production  of  wheat  in  the  State,  below  that  of  corn.  The  kind 
of  soil  and  climate  suited  for  the  successful  raising  of  wheat,  is 
not  found  in  our  State  so  generally  as  that  suited  for  corn  and 
oats.  A  well-drained  clay,  or  clay  loam  with  calcareous  mat 
ter,  suits  it  best.  An  equable  winter  climate,  dry  wreather 
about  ripening  time,  and  a  freedom  from  heavy  rains  when 
the  bloom  is  on,  are  all  required  for  the  heaviest  yields. 

Nevertheless,  there  is  no  doubt  that  the  amount  Of  wheat 
raised  by  us,  can,  and  Avill  be  largely  increased.  Many  of  the 
counties  do  not  raise  enough  for  home  consumption,  but  im 
port  flour.  A  sound  system  of  economy  will  not.  per 
mit  this  state  of  things  to  continue  in  those  counties  where, 
as  is  the  case  in  many,  all  the  conditions  are  favorable  for  the 
raising  01"  this  grain.  Again,  much  of  the  present  crop  in  the 
new  counties,  as  stated  above,  is  raised  after  corn,  on  new,  im- 


70  RESOURCES  OF   WEST   VIRGINIA. 

perfectly  cleared  land.  This  does  not  permit  the  seeding  to  be 
done  early  enough  for  our  climate.  The  body  of  cleared  land 
is  already  large  enough  in  many  sections  to  permit  a  proper 
rotation  of  crops,  the  good  effects  of  which  are  shown  in  no 
crop,  sooner  than  in  wheat.  As  the  'roots  and  stumps  decay, 
cleaner  cultivation  will  be  permitted.  Thus  without  an 
increase  of  acreage,  we  may  look  for  increased  yields. 

Spring  wheat  is  not  cultivated  to  any  extent,  since  it  has 
not  proved  so  successful  as  winter  wheat.  Most  of  the  known 
varieties  of  winter  wheat  have  been  tried  with  more  or  less 
suceess.  The  Mediterranean  is,  perhaps,  the  most  approved 
in  the  Ohio  counties.  In  general,  the  white  flinty  smooth, 
and  early  bearded  varieties  are  the  most  reliable.  The  total 
amount  of  wheat  raised  according  to  the  census  of  1870,  is 
2,480,148  bushels,  making  it  the  second  crop  in  amount.  The 
average  may  be  taken  as  10  bushels  per  acre.  This,  when 
compared  with  that  of  corn,  seems  very  low.  It  must  be 
remembered,  however,  that  corn  is  cultivated  on  the  best  lands 
in  the  least  exhausted  portions  of  the  State,  generally  bottoms, 
while  wheat  is  mainly  raised  on  the  older  and  more  exhausted 
lands.  Besides,  it  fails  much  oftener  than  corn.  These  aver 
ages,  and  all  others,  given  for  the  different  crops,  are  for  culti 
vation  without  fertilizers'  A  moderate  use  of  them  would 
largely  increase  these  yields. 

OATS. 

Oats  rank  third  in  the  grain  production  of  West  Virginia. 
Their  productiveness,  adaptiveness  to  various  soils  and 
climates,  and  the  ease  with  which  they  are  raised,  render 
the  crop  a  favorite  one,  more  especially  in  the  new  counties. 
The  crops  are  limited  only  by  the  demand  for  the  grain.  In 
many  of  the  back  counties,  only  enough  is  raised  for  feeding 
at  home.  When  access  can  be  had  to  market,  the  largest  crops 
are  made.  In  the  mountain  and  high  plateau  lands,  the  con 
ditions  of  climate  cause  oats  to  supercede  in  large  measure 
other  grains.  The  total  amount  raised,  is  for  1870,  2,513,749 
bushels.  The  average  may  be  taken  as  30  bushels  per  acre. 

BARLEY. 

Owing  to  the  lack  of  a  good  market,  Barley  has  received  but 
little  attention.  It  is  not  consumed  as  food  for  man  or  beast, 
like  wheat,  and  oats,  or  corn,  among  our  people,  hence  as  there 


RESOURCES    OF   WEST   VIRGINIA.  71 

is  no  home  consumption,  there  is  little  inducement  to  raise  it. 
Some  attention  was  at  one  time  paid  to  the  raising  of  it,  in 
the  counties  in  the  north  of  the  State  on  the  Ohio,  for  the  sup 
plying  of  the  Wheeling  breweries.  It  was  found,  however, 
that  this  grain  could  be  bought  elsewhere  cheaper  than  it 
could  be  raised  in  the  vicinity.  Like  oats,  this  grain  flour 
ishes  well  in  almost  any  soil  that  is  not  too  heavy  and  wet. 
The  total  amount  for  1870  was  50,363  bushels.  The  amount 
per  acre  may  be  put  at  15  bushels. 

RYE.- 

Rye  is  not  much  cultivated  in  the  State.  It  is  well  adapt 
ed,  as  it  would  seem,  to  the  higher  and  colder  parts  of  the 
country,  and  it  is  in  such  regions  that  it  is  mainly  raised. 
The  counties  of  RHchie,  Preston  and  Hampshire,  are  the  lar 
gest  producers.  It  will  grow  well  on  almost  any  of  our  soils, 
and  is  a  hardy  grain.  Since  it  requires  the  same  season  as 
wheat,  and  the  same  cultivation,  without  being  so  useful  as 
food,  it  can  never  attain  any  great  magnitude  as  a  crop  where 
wheat  can  be  raised.  When  sown  on  fertile  land  in  Septem 
ber,  it  would  form  a  good  pasture  in  winter  and  spring.  This 
is  the  chief  use  of  it  made  in  Tennessee,  and  it  mignt  be  thus 
employed  more  largely  in  our  own  State.  Total  yield  in  1870, 
277,746  bushels.  Average  yield  about  18  bushels  per  acre. 

BUCKWHEAT. 

This  grain,  according  to  Diss  Debar,  thrives  with  little  or  no 
care  in  every  part  of  the  State,  and  is  cultivated  most  exten 
sively  in  the  upper  Ohio  river  and  mountain  counties.  Pres 
ton  county,  according  to  the  same  authority,  alone  produces 
95,857  bushels.  According  to  the  census  of  1870,  if  correct, 
there  must  have  been  a  fearful  falling  off  in  this  crop,  as  it 
gives'  for  the  whole  State,  only  82,916  bushels.  But  this  is 
only  another  instance  of  the  glaring  incorrectness  in  the  cen 
sus  reports  of  our  productions.  Buckwheat  seems  particularly 
fitted  for  the  glades,  and  table  lands  of  the  more  elevated,  and 
colder  portions  of  the  State.  On  them  it  is  largely  raised,  and 
forms  an  important  article  of  food  in  such  districts.  Here,  in 
the  form  of  cakes,  in  connection  with  maple  syrup,  and  moun 
tain  honey,  it  is  used  in  considerable  amounts.  The  yield  is 
very  variable  in  different  coils,  the  largest  being  in  good  dry 
loam.  In  rich  alluvial  land,  it  is  inclined  to  go  to  straw.  In 


?Z  RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA. 

the  mountains  it  is  sown  earlier  than  elsewhere,  in  order  to 
escape  the  fall  frosts,  which  are  fatal  to  it.  In  the  lower  coun 
ties,  the  middle  of  July  is  early  enough  for  it,  and  two  crops 
may  be  obtained  from  the  same  field,  provided  the  first  be 
sown  early  in  April.  To  the  new  settler,  this  rapid  growth  is 
very  useful,  as  it  enables  him  to  get  a  crop  from  late  cleared 
land,  and  extirpates  weeds,  &c.  The  census  for  1870  gives  as 
the  total  production,  82,916  bushels.  The  average  yield  may 
be  put  at  20  bushels  per  acre. 

THE    SWEET    POTATO. 

This  root,  though  forming  a  palatable  and  wholesome  food, 
and  easily  cultivated,  is  much  neglected,  being  supplanted  by 
the  Irish    potato.     In   the  predominating  clay  loams  of  our 
State,  it  grows  well  and  obtains  a  good  size,  but  is  rather  lack 
ing  in  sweetness  and  keeping  qualities.      This  is  especially 
true  of  the  northern  and  higher  parts  of  the  State.     To  attain 
perfection,  it  requires  a  sandy,  friable  soil,  of  moderate  fertility, 
and  a  hot  sun  during  the  period  of  growth.     In  many  parts  of 
the  State,  especially  in  the  southern  counties,  these  conditions 
are  supplied,  and  there  the  sweet  potato  ought  to  obtain  high 
excellence.     Indeed,  Tennessee  is  noted  for  the  size  and  flavor 
of  her  sweet  potatoes.      Perhaps  the  greatest  trouble  in  the  at 
tempts  of  our  people  to  raise  it,  is  that   they  select  too  rich  a 
soil,  which  makes  too  great  a   growth  of  vine,   and   gives  the 
root  a  sappy,  insipid  character.     In  the  eastern  States,  from 
New  Jersey  to  North  Carolina,  this  crop  is  raised  in  the  great 
est  perfection.     Poor,  sandy  loams,  are  there  preferred.      They 
are  aided  with  non-stimulating  vegetable  matter,  such  as  half 
rotted  straw,  &c.,  where  these  sandy  soils  are  totally    void  of 
vegetable  matter.     Our  soils  all    have  an    abundance  of  this, 
and  would  not  need  such  additions.      The  good  prices  that  the 
crop  brings,   $1   to  $1,50,  per  bushel,  certainly  would   seem  to 
make  this  crop   worthy   of  more   attention.     The  number  of 
bushels  report-ed  for  the  State  is  40,984,  which  is  no  doubt  too 
small  an  amount.     The  average  yield  is  about  100  bushels. 

THE  IRISH  POTATO. 

This  is  a  favorite  crop  with  our  people,  and  is  grown  in  com 
paratively  large  quantities.  The  Irish  potato  grows  in  great 
perfection  all  over  the  State.  In  size,  mealiness,  and  delicacy 
of  flavor,  our  Irish  potatoes  are  unsurpassed.  Our  deep,  light 


RESOURCES  OF  WEST   VIRGINIA.  73 

loams,  charged  with  vegetable  matter,  and  our  cool,  moist  sum  - 
mers,  furnish  just  the  conditions  needed  to  bring  this  vegetable 
in  perfection.  In  the  high  table  lands  and  glades,  or  upland 
prairies  as  they  may  be  called,  they  excel  in  all  points  of  excel 
lence.  It  must  be  remembered  that  the  original  home  of  the 
potato,  is  in  the  high,  cool,  and  well  watered  districts  of  South 
America,  a  region  not  unlike  some  parts  of  West  Virginia. 

The  rot  has  never  prevailed  in  this  State.  The  Colorado  bug 
has  been  with  us  three  years.  Owing  to  the  fierce  war  waged 
against  him,  he  has  not  caused  so  much  damage  with  us  as 
has  been  done  elsewhere.  This  insect  may  now  be  considered 
to  have  done  his  worst.  Irish  potatoes  in  the  interior  coun 
ties,  readily  command  from  seventy-five  cents  to  one  dollar  per 
bushel.  Many  varieties  are  cultivated  with  success,  of  which 
perhaps  the  Peach  Blow  is  most  deserving  of  mention.  Here 
again  we  may  trace  the  influence  of  inherited  prejudices,  when 
we  compare  the  amounts  of  the  two  vegetables  raised.  The 
Irish  potato  is  the  mainstay  of  the  laboring  class  of  both 
Europe  and  America,  while  the  Sweet  potato  is  confined  to 
comparatively  limited  districts.  It  is  not  to  be  wondered  at 
then  that,  in  a  State  settled  as  ours  has  been,  the  Sweet  potato 
should  be  almost  entirely  neglected,  even  where  every  condi 
tion  is  more  favorable  for  it  than  for  the  Irish  potato. 

The  total  yield  of  Irish  potatoes  in  the  State  is  put  by  the 
census  of  1870  at  1,053,507  bushels.  The  average  crop'  per 
acre  may  be  put  at  120  bushels. 

THE  TURNIP. 

This  is  another  valuable  production,  well  suited  to  our  soil 
and  climate,  which  is  greatly  neglected.  It  would  be  especi 
ally  valuable  to  the  recent  settler,  since  it  can  be  raised  with 
much  ease,  on  imperfectly  cleared  land.  It  does  finely  on  virgin 
soils  fall  of  vegetable  matter  and  ashes,  and  requires  a  mere 
scratching  of  the  surface.  It  furnishes  food  for  both  man  and 
beast,  being  especially  fitted  for  milch  cows.  The  white,  sweet 
turnip,  is  almost  exclusively  cultivated,  thp  Rutabaga  being 
almost  unknown. 

We  have  no  data  to  determine  the  total  yield  in  the  State. 
This  is  small,  though  increasing.  Returns  of  average  yields, 
indicate  120  bushels  per  acre,  as  the  general  average  for  all 
soils. 

10 


74  RESOURCES   OF   WEST   VIRGINIA. 

SOEGHUM. 

The  Chinese  sugar  cane  is  cultivated  to  a  considerable  extent 
in  the  State.  Its  main  production  is  in  the  Ohio  helt  of  coun 
ties.  It  is  used  entirely  for  the  manufacture  of  molasses,  for 
home  consumption.  It  is  not  grown  so  extensively  in  the 
inland  counties,  especially  where  the  lands  are  wooded,  and 
the  maple  is  abundant.  Most  persons  prefer  the  syrup  pre 
pared  from  the  maple,  to  the  molasses  from  sorghum.  This 
latter  has.  too  commonly  from  imperfect  ripening,  an  acid 
taste.  The  cane  is  mainly  raised  in  the  counties  which  have 
been  more  or  less  denuded  of  their  maple  trees.  The  cane  suc 
ceeds  well,  and  in  good  soil,  when  well  matured,  yields  from 
200  to  300  gallons  per  acre.  The  total  production  for  the  State 
is  given  as  780,829  gallons,  Jackson  county  leading,  with  a 
yield  of  57,041  gallons. 

MAPLE  SUGAR. 

This  is  quite  an  important  production  in  the  better  wooded 
portions  of  the  State,  and  like  most  of  our  forest  products,  is 
greatly  underestimated  in  all  published  statistics.  There  are 
two  varieties  of  maple,  which,  in  West  Virginia,  furnish  sugar. 
These  are  the  Sugar,  or  Rock  Maple,  and  the  Black  Maple  (accr 
nigrum).  The  former  is  the  more  common  tree,  and  }delds 
more  juice  than  the  latter.  Both  trees  grow  all  over  the  State, 
at  all  elevations,  provided  the  soil  be  good,  and  the  exposure 
favorable.  Even  were  the  published  statistics  correct,  in,  the 
amount  of  sugar  and  syrup  which  they  give,  in  this  case  also, 
the  present  production  is  no  measure  of  the  capabilities  of  the 
State.  The  largest  present  production,  is  in  some  of  the -old 
well  cleared  counties,  such  as  Greenbrier,  Monroe,  Monongalia, 
etc.,  where  the  trees  are  fewest.  There  are  millions  of  acres, 
according  to  Diss  Debar,  where  not  a  tree  has  been  tapped,  and 
thousands  of  productive  trees  in  the  sugar  orchards  of  old  and 
improved  farms,  are  neglected  from  want  of  time  and  labor  to 
save  the  crop. 

The  tree  in  its  favorite  positions,  grows  in  groups  and  groves. 
These  are  seen  in  all  their  perfection  in  the  mountain  counties, 
and  here  sugar  making  forms  an  important  and  profitable 
branch  of  industry.  The  period  of  sap  runnir.g  is  longer  in 
such  regions.  The  maple  sugar  production  for  1850  is  put  at 


RESOURCES  OF   WEST   VIRGINIA.  75 

607,178  pounds,  while  that  for  1870  is  put  at  490,606  pounds. 
This  is  far  less  than  the  amount  reported  for  I860,  also.  Diss 
Debar  was  of  the  opinion  that  the  amount  reported  for  1860, 
was  much  too  small.  He  states,  as  confirming  this  opinion, 
that  in  Doddrige  country, his  residence  at  that  time,  only  1,623 
pounds  were  given  as  the  entire  yield,  while  to  his  personal 
knowledge,  the  amount  sold  to  the  stores,  exceeded  2,500  pounds, 
and  no  doubt  an  equal  amount  was  retained  for  home  con 
sumption. 

According  to  the  census  returns,  there  must  from  1860  to 
1870,  have  been  a  great  falling  off  in  the  production  (about  J-), 
but  as  is  well  known,  the  production  is  steadily  increasing. 

In  the  more  thinly  settled  counties,  such  as  Randolph,  Web 
ster,  Nicholas,  &c.,  thousands  of  acres  have  nearly  half  their 
timber  of  the  sugar  maples.  Here  the  price  of  land  is  so  low 
that  the  price  of  one  crop  from  a  tract,  would,  pay  for 
the  whole.  The  yield  per  tree  varies  from  6  to  10  gallons  a 
day,  in  favorable  weather,  giving  f  to  1J  pounds  of  hard 
sugar,  besides  a  quantity  of  excellent  syrup.  This  result  may 
be  obtained  from  the  same  trees  upon  an  average  for  25  to  50 
days  in  a  season  (Diss  Debar).  Good  maple  sugar  always 
brings  at  the  country  stores,  the  price  of  brown  New  Orleans 
sugar.  This  is  always  a  sure  crop,  giving  a  large  value  in 
small  bulk,  easy  of  transportation,  and  always  meeting  with  a 
ready  market.  This  source  of  revenue  is  as  yet  practically 
untouched ;  it  cannot  fail  to  become  an  important  and  perma 
nent  member  of  our  forest  productions. 

TOBACCO. 

The  cultivation  of  tobacco  in  the  State,  for  no  good  reason, 
as  it  would  seem,  is  confined  to  a  very  limited  area.  Some  of 
tha  Ohio  belt  of  counties,  and  of  those  on  the  New  and  Kana- 
wha  rivers,  .raise  nearly  the  entire  crop.  The  following  re 
marks  on  the  culture  of  this  staple  are  based  on  information 
kindly  furnished  by  the  Hon.  D.  D.  Johnson,  of  Tyler,  alarge  and 
successful  raiser  of  tobacco.  Tobacco  has  only  recently  become 
an  important  article  of  production  in  the  State.  For  a  num 
ber  of  years  small  crops  have  been  raised  in  the  vicinity  of 
the  Great  Kanawha.  Some  25  or  30  years  ago,  it  was  also 
produced  in  the  more  northern  counties,  but  in  all  the  section 


76  RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA. 

north  of  the   Little  Kanawha,  the  cultivation  of  tobacco  had 
almost  entirely  ceased  prior  to  1860. 

During  the  war,  its  cultivation  was  somewhat  revived  on 
the  borders  of  the  Ohio  river.  The  crop  thus  raised  was  sold 
to  packers  in  Ohio,  and  by  them  shipped  to  the  eastern  mar 
kets,  as  Ohio  tobacco.  Hence  the  absence  of  quotations  of 
West  Virginia  tobacco  in  these  markets. 

In  the  county  of  Tyler,  the  increase  in  the  production  of 
tobacco,  has  been  more  rapid  than  in  any  other  county  in  the 
State.  It  is  estimated  for  this  county,  that  the  production  of 
any  one  year,  for  a  period  of  20  years,  prior  to  1867,  would 
not  exceed  50,000  pounds.  Since  that  time,  through  the 
untiring  energy  of  T.  J.  Staley,  Esq.,  its  production  has  rap 
idly  increased,  until  in  1873,  the  crop  was  estimated  at 
1,500,000  pounds.  The  crop  of  1874  was  a  failure,  owing  to 
general  causes,  which  affected  all  the  tobacco  growing  States. 
In  1875,  a  larger  area  was  planted  in  Tyler  county  than  ever 
before.  Owing  to  the  continuous  and  heavy  rains  in  July,  a 
period  of  unprecedented  rain  storms,  the  crop  was  lessened 
materially. 

The  principal  varieties  given  in  Tyler  county  are  the  "Ma 
ryland  Thickset,"  and  the  "White  Burley.'"  The  latter  is  a 
recent  introduction,  and  is  peculiarly  adapted  to  "  old  ground." 

The  mode  of  cultivation  is  as  follows  :  During  the  month 
of  February  or  March,  a  "brush- heap"  is  prepared  in  some 
favorable  locality,  generally  in  newly  cleared  ground,  and 
burned.  This  is  for  the  purpose  of  destroying  all  noxious  seeds, 
that  might  germinate  into  weeds  injurious  to  the  young 
tobacco  plants.  The  top  soil,  is  then  dug  up.  and  thoroughly 
pulverized,  and  the  tobacco  seed  sown  in  the  "bed  "  thus  pre 
pared.  The  young  plants  appear  and  grow  in  this  position 
during  the  month  of  May.  In  June  and  July,  they  are  pulled 
up  and  transplanted  in  the  ground  in  which  they  are  des: 
tined  to  grow.  Of  course  this  must  be  done  when  the  ground 
is  sufficiently  moist  to  enable  the  young  plant  to  take  root  sin 
its  new  position. 

It  is  almost  the  universal  custom  in  Tyler  county,  to  select 
as  the  growing  ground,  newly  cleared  land.  From  the  time  of 
transplanting,  until  about  the  middle  of  August,  the  growing 
plant  must  be  kept  clear  of  weeds  and  worms,  and  of  shoots, 


RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA.  77 

or  "  suckers,"  which  are  apt  to  grow  between  the  leaves 
arid  the  main  stem. 

The  leaves  next  to  the  ground  mature  first,  those  in  the 
middle  next,  and  the  top  leaves  last.  When  all  are  fully  ma 
tured,  the  leaves  are  stripped  from  the  stalk,  and  hung  up  in 
the  tobacco  warehouse  for  "curing."  Flues  are  made  by  loose 
stone,  and  run  for  about  two -thirds  the  length  of  the  house. 
In  these  are  placed  wood  fires,  the  heat  and  smoke  of  which 
pass  up  through  the  tobacco  as  it  hangs  in  the  house. 

When  sufficiently  cured,  the  tobacco  is  taken  down  and  put 
in  u  bulks,"  while  the  house  is  refilled  with  green  tobacco. 
When  the  whole  crop  is  thus  partially  cured,  it  is  again  hung 
up  to  be  thoroughly  cured.  It  is  then  taken  from  the  stick, 
and  "  rolled,"  and  sold  to  the  packers. 

The  average  yield  per  acre,  is  under  ordinary  circumstances 
about  1,000  pounds.  The  price  per  pound  was,  in  the  roll, 
during  1873,  from  3  to  3J-  cents;  and  in  1874,  from  4  to  8 
cents ;  in  1875,  from  4-o-  to  5J  cents. 

Tobacco  grown  in  the  Great  Kanawha  region,  is  cured 
almost  entirely  by  "air  drying,"  and  commands  a  much  higher 
price  than  cured  by  "  firing,"  as  above  described.  The  smoke 
in  passing  through  the  tobacco  very  materially  injures  it.  In 
the  northern  part  of  the  State,  the  time  between  the 
maturing  of  the  plant,  and  the  early  frosts  of  win 
ter,  is  too  short  to  permit  this  method  of  curing.  Air  drying 
also  requires  a  great  amount  of  house-room,  which  requires 
too  much  capital  for  the  limited  means  of  the  ordinary  tobacco 
grower. 

Col.  Johnson  suggests  that  both  of  these  difficulties  may  be 
overcome  by  using  air,  heated  by  a  stove  or  furnace,  for  the 
purpose  of  curing  the  plant,  while  the  smoke  is  caused  to  pass 
to  the  outside  of  the  house,  through  a  flue  or  pipe.  This 
would  very  materially  enhance  the  price  of  fire-cured  tobacco. 

The  soil  and  climate  of  West  Virginia,  and  the  large 
amount  of  fresh  land  posesessed  by  her,  offer  many  advantages 
in  the  culture  of  tobacco,  and  with  proper  cultivation,  and 
correct  modes  of  curing,  the  highest  prices  ought  to  be  ob 
tained. 

The  production  of  tobacco  for  1873  in  that  part  of  the  State 
which  lies  north  of  the  Little  Kanawha,  was  estimated  at 


78  RESOURCES    OF   WEST   VIRGINIA. 

10,800,000  pounds.  The  number  of  pounds  of  West  Virginia 
tobacco  inspected  in  Baltimore,  during  that  year  was  reported 
at  7,200,000  pounds.  Add  to  this  2,700,000  pounds,  the  amount 
estimated  by  Col.  Johnson,  as  raised  in  the  Kanawha  region, 
we  have  an  aggregate  for  the  State  of  13,000,500  pounds  raised 
in  1873.  Col.  Johnson  estimates  the  price  of  the  tobacco, 
raised  north  of  the  Little  Kanawha,  as  averaging  3  cents  per 
pound,  and  that  of  the  Great  Kanawha  district,  as  averaging 
6  cents  per  pound,  giving  a  total  money  value  of  the  crop  in 
the  State  of  $378,000.  Two  crops  of  tobacco  are  usually  raised 
on  the  same  land,  which  leaves  the  ground  in  splendid  condi 
tion  for  wheat,  since  the  culture  of  new  ground  in  tobacco  is 
more  effectual  than  any  mode  of  preparation  in  getting  rid  of 
weeds. 

The  above  account  of  tobacco  cultivation  in  Tyler  county 
may  be  taken  to  represent  the  entire  State.  It  may  be  proper 
to  state-  here,  that  it  is  not  exactly  similar  to  the  method 
used  in  Virginia.  In  that  State  the  tobacco  is,  immediately 
after  cutting,  hung  for  some  days  closely  together  on  "  scaf 
folds,"  in  order  to  give  it  a  bright  yellow  color,  before  hanging 
in  the  house.  The  leaves,  also,  are  not  stripped  from  the 
stalk,  but  the  stalk  is  split  partly  down,  and  hung  astride  on 
the  sticks.  The  Virginia  farmers  attach  much  importance  to 
the  number  of  leaves  left  to  grow  on  the  stalk.  They  always 
break  off  the  lowest  leaves,  as  the  plant  is  growing,  since 
these  usually  become  filled  with  dirt.  If  they  wish  to  make 
heavy  shipping  tobacco,  i.  <?.,  tobacco  for  the  European  mar 
ket,  they  break  off  the  terminal  bud  low  enough  down  to.^ 
leave  8  to  10  leaves  on  the  stalk.  If  thin  tobacco,  suited  for 
home  manufacture,  is  desired,  a  greater  number  is  left,  and 
thinner  new  land  selected  for  planting.  They  raise  their 
heavy  tobacco  on  old  highly  manured  lands. 

Attention  may  be  here  called   to  the  great  underestimation 
of  the  West  Virginia  tobacco  crop  in   the  census    report  for 
1870,  where  it  is  put  at  only  2,040,452  pounds,  not  much  mores 
than  the  crop  of  Tyler  county  in  1873. 

MISCELLANEOUS  CHOPS. 

Cotton. — Two   bales  arc  reported  from  Randolph.      Cotton, 
perhaps,  might  be  raised  with  success  for  home  consumption, 


RESOURCES   OF   WEST   VIRGINIA.  79 

in  the  low  valleys  of  the  Southern  Ohio  counties.  It  is  a  very 
successful  and  important  crop  in  Tennessee. 

Hemp — Succeeds  well  here,  hut  the  demand  for  it  is  limited, 
and  where  the  amount  of  available  lahor  is  small,  as  it  is  in 
our  State,  attention  is  turned  to  more  indispensible  crops,  such 
as  those  which  furnish  some  variety  of  food.  The  amount 
returned  is  37  tons. 

flax. — Flax  is  more  largely  raised,  since  it  supplies  in  large 
measure,  the  material  for  textile  fabrics  of  home  manufacture, 
taking  the  place  of  cotton.  It  succeeds  well  in  every  part  of 
the  State,  and  the  production  is  limited  only  by  the  small 
demand  for  it.  Amount  reported,  82,276  pounds,  of  which 
Jackson  county  raises  the  largest  quantity,  viz.:  7'286  pounds. 

Hops. — These  are  cultivated  only  for  domestic  use.  This 
plant  thrives  well  in  all  parts  of  the  State.  The  amount 
given  for  1870  is  1,031  pounds,  Preston  county  producing  the 
largest  amount,  viz.:  200  pounds. 

BUTTER  AND  CHEESE. 

From  what  has  "been  said  about  the  topography,  soil  cli 
mate,  adapted nes«  for  grass  of  the  State,  it  will  bo  easily 
understood  that  with  proper  inducements  arising  from  ready 
transportation,  and  sufficient  markets,  these  products  should 
be  a  source  of  large  revenue  to  our  people.  In  a  State  like 
West  Virginia,  where,  in  consequence  of  imperfect  access  to 
market,  the  capacity  for  grain  production  is  far  greater  than 
the  amount  now  raised,  it  is  a  matter  of  great  importance  to 
discover  methods  for  the  conversion  of  grain.  Among  the 
substances  into  which  our  grains  can  be  changed  with  profit, 
butter,  and  especially  cheese,  should  rank  high. 

It  requires  too  much  space  to  properly  point  out  the  advan 
tages  which  West  Virginia  possesses  for  dairy  farming. 

As  one  pound  of  cheese  is  worth  12  to  18  pounds  of  corn, 
and  one  of  butter  much  more,  it  is  plain  that  largo  amounts 
of  the  corn  could  be  exported  in  this  form  with  a  great  sav 
ing  in  the  cost  of  transportion.  More  attention  is  being  paid 
to  the  number  of  cattle  raised,  and  to  the ,- improvement  of 
the  breed  so  far,  only  for  the  purpose  of  beef  production. 
This  must  react  on  dairy  farming  and  lead  to  improvements 
in  milch  cows.  Indeed,  lack  of  labor  and  quick  transporta 
tion,  are  the  only  causes  preventing  a  great  development  of 


80  RESOURCES   OF  WEST   VIRGINIA. 

our  dairy  products.     Among  the  many  advantages  which  we1 
possess  for  dairy  farming  we  may  mention  the  following  : 

First,  The  length  of  our  growing  season.  It  is  true  our 
farmers  feed  from  5  to  6  months  in  some  parts  of  the  State, 
but  this  is  due  in  great  part  to  the  their  having  failed  to  put 
down  a  due  proportion  of  their  land  in  grass.  In  the  shel 
tered  valleys  in  many  parts  of  the  State,  grass  will  grow  8 
and  9  months  in  the  year.  Second,  The  absence  of  parching 
droughts,  and  the  luxuriance  and  succulence  of  the  grass 
throughout  the  summer.  Third,  The  uniform  cool  weather 
of  summer,  and  the  abundance  of  cool  springs  and  excellent 
water,  fourth,  The  peculiar  adaptation  of  the  State  for 
grass.  Fifth,  One  proximity  to  the  large  cities.  Sixth,  The 
cheapness  of  land  for  pasture. 

West  Virginia  butter,  especially  that  produced  in  the 
mountains,  and  on  the  plateaus,  commands  a  higher  price  in 
the  Baltimore  market  than  that  of  any  other  State.  We  have 
seen  that  a  considerable  portion  of  the  State  has  these  topo 
graphical  features.  During  seasons  favorable  for  the  ship 
ment  of  butter,  the  country  stores  seldom  pay  less  than  20  or 
30  cents  per  pound.  Near  the  small  towns,  from  September 
to  May,  butter  commands  from  40  to  60  cents.  It  must  be 
remembered  that  this  is  put  up  in  small  parcels,  and  usually 
poorly  prepared. 

In  1870  the  number  of  pounds  of  butter  made  is  put  at 
5,044,475 ;  the  number  of  pounds  of  cheese,  32,429,  and  the 
number  of  gallons  of  milk  sold,  144,895.  The  production  of 
cheese  is  by  no  means  equal  to  the  home  consumption. 

HONEY. 

Although  bees  thrive  almost  without  care  in  this  State, 
honey  raising  has  not  formed  in  any  quarter,  one  of  the 
industrial  pursuits.  On  most  farms  where  bees  are  kept, 
they  receive  little  attention,  and  are  provided  only 
with  the  rudest  hives.  The  principal  stock  comes  from  t^ie 
wild  swarms,  and  the  young  swarms  frequently  return  to  the 
woods.  From  the  abundance  of  wild  flowers,  and  the  mild 
ness  of  the  climate,  it  ifi  plain  that  bee  culture  can  be  made 
a  profitable  calling  in  West  Virginia.  The  red  maple,  with 
its  myriad  flowers,  in  February,  affords  an  early  supply  of 
pollen.  The  Plurn,  Peach,  Spice  wood,  Dogwood,  Sassafras, 


RESOURCES   OF   WEST    VIRGINIA.  81 

Pear,  Cherry,  Redbud,  Raspberry,  and  Apple,  blooming  during 
March  and  April,  afford  both  food  and  abundant  pollen  for 
cell  making.  The  Willow,  in  early  April,  abounding  on  all 
the  streams,  gives  splendid  pasturage,  and  is  the  first  source 
of  honey  supply.  In  Tennessee,  bees  in  strong  colonies,  have 
been  known  to  store  29  pounds,  during  the  last  week  in  April, 
per  hive.  With  us  the  Willow  is  somewhat  later  in  bloom 
ing.  Wild  Cherry,  Dewberry  and  White  Clover  bloom  in 
April  and  May,  and  being  'quite  abundant,  furnish  large 
supplies  of  food  and  honey  for  storage.  From  this  time 
onward,  a  constant  succession  of  wild  flowers  follow.  Bone- 
set,  the  Astors,  and  Golden  Rod  give  late  supplies  of  abund 
ant  and  excellent  honey.  The  price  of  honey  in  the 
cornb  varies  from  20  to  25  cents,  and  the  supply  everywhere 
small.  The  total  amount  given  for  the  State  in  1870,  is 
376,997  pounds.  Harrison  county  leading  with  28,937 
pounds. 

FRUIT  CULTURE, 

The  nature  of  the  soil  and  the  climate  of  West  Virginia 
permit  the  cultivation  of  any  fruit  which  can  be  grown  in 
the  cooler  parts  of  the  temperate  zone.  A  failure  of  any  of 
these  fruits  must  depend  upon  special  or  local  causes,  or  on 
conditions  other  than  those  of  climate. 

The  principal  trouble  experienced  in  fruit  growing  in  our 
State,  arises  from  the  early  stimulation  of  the  flower  buds 
by  warm  spells  of  weather  occurring  in  February,  and  the 
first  part  of  March.  This  trouble  is  experienced  in  all  the 
States  lying  in  the  same  latitude  with  UP.  As  we  are  liable 
to  have  killing  frosts  until  the  middle  of  April,  the  fruit 
crop  is,  of  course,  in  danger  until  after  this  period.  This 
danger  can,  to  a  greater  or  hj.ss  extent,,  be  avoided,  by  select 
ing  such  exposures  as  will  retard  as  much  as  possible  the 
blooming  of  the  trees,  or  by  exposing  the  roots,  &c.,  &c. 

Over  the  State  in  general,  no  great  amount  of  fruit  is 
raised  for  sale,  on  account  of  the  lack  of  cheap  and  ready 
transportation.  What  sin  plus  is  di.spo.sed  of,  is  mainly  in 
the  dried  condition.  But  while  the  lack  of  maikets  pre 
vents  exportation,  no  people  raise  a  greater  abundance,  or 
make  a  freer  use  of  fruit  in  their  household  economy  than 
West  Virginians. 
11 


82  RESOURCES   OF   WEST   VIRGINIA. 

In  all  the  multitudinous  modes  of  preserving  and  utiliz 
ing  fruit,  they  excel.  Every  housewife  lays  up  abundant 
stores  of  pickles,  preserves,  jams,  fruit  butters,  besides  dry 
ing,  canning,  and  storing  in  bulk.  In  this  respect  they 
stand  in  strong  contrast  with  the  people  of  the  Atlantic 
slope.  A  failure  of  the  fruit  crop  is  a  misfortune  to  the  West 
Virginian,  but  little  less  grave  than  that  of  the  grain  crop. 
While  the  people  themselves,  owing  to  the  impress  of  Penn 
sylvania  German  tastes,  make  such  large  use  of  fruit,  they 
are  alive  to  the  great  benefits  derived  from  a  liberal  feeding 
of  it  to  stock.  As  a  consequence,  an  orchard  is  everywhere 
an  appendage  of  a  well  ordered  farm. 

The  Apple. — The  apple  is  by  far  the  most  important  of  the 
different  fruits  raised  in  tins  State.  Owing  to  the  great 
variety  of  soil,  exposure  and  elevation,  almost  every  known 
kind  can  find  conditions  well  suited  to  its  growth.  Speak 
ing  for  the  whole  State,  the  combination  of  soil  and  climate 
is  such,  that  the  apple  attains  with  us  a  perfection  of  size 
and  flavor,  rarely  found  elsewhere.  It  is  a  very  sure  crop, 
the  bloom  not  coining  out,  usually,  until  the  severe  frosts  are 
past.  Owing  to  the  unprecedentedly  cold  spell  which  occur 
red  late  in  the  spring  of  last  year,  the  apple  crop  for  the 
year  (1S75)  was  almost  entirely  cut  short.  We  thus  are 
able  to  compare  our  native  fruit  with  that  grown  elsewhere, 
for  our  fruit  dealers  are  getting  stock  from  Michigan  and 
elsewhere.  None  of  the  kinds  thus  obtained,  equal  in  flavor 
those  of  native  growth. 

The  apple  being  a  pretty  sure  crop,  is  cultivated  every 
where,  and  when  the  farmer  confines  his  attention  to  one 
sort  of  fruit,  it  is  always  the  apple  that  he  selects.  Besides 
the  use  made  of  it  for  eating  in  the  raw  state,  drying,  pre 
serving  and  stock  feeding,  for  all  of  which  purposes  it  forms 
the  chief  material,  it  is  largely  used  for  cider  and  vinegar. 

Considerable  attention  has  been  paid  to  securing  improved 
varieties.  Along  all  the  lines  of  public  conveyance  apples 
are  exported  in  considerable  quantities.  Large  amounts 
are  shipped  from  the  Ohio  belt  of  counties.  In  spring  the 
demand  always  exceeds  the  supply.  Considerable  amounts 
are  distilled.  Some  of  the  most  popular  and  successful  vari 
eties  are  the  following : 


RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA.  83 

Fall  and  Winter  Rambo,  Newtown  Pippin,  Rhode  Island 
Greening,  Baldwin,  Yellow  Bellflower,  Grindstone  Pippin, 
Winesap,  Yellow  Harvest,  Red  Harvest.  June  Eating,  Sum 
mer  Sweet,  etc.,  &c. — (Diss  Debar). 

Peaches —  1  he  peach  was  formerly  cultivated  more  widely  over 
the  State  than  it  is  now.  At  present,  it  is  principally  produced 
south  of  the  Little  Kanawha.  In  the  northern  part  of  the 
State,  it  has  been  mainly  supplanted  by  the  apple,  owing  to 
the  increasing  uncertainty  of  the  crop,  due  to  the  danger 
from  early  frosts.  Many  parts  of  the  northern  districts  used 
to  raise  large  crops,  where  now  hardly  a  peach  tree  can  be 
seen.  The  counties  of  Wirt,  Calhoun,  Gilmer,  <tc.,  are  very 
successful,  and  large  amounts  are  dried  and  cured  for  sale. 
The  bloom  of  this  fruit  is  peculiarly  liable  to  be  started  for 
ward  too  soon  by  the  warm  spells  of  February  and  March. 

The  varieties  most  approved  are  :  Morris  White,  Heath's 
Cling,  Grosse  Migiionne,  Early  Scarlet,  Crawford's  Late,  etc., 
&c.— (Diss  Debar). 

Pears. — Pears  are  not  cultivated  to  anv  extent,  and  appear 
to  thrive  best  in  old  improved  improved  localities.  Bart- 
teFs,  and  Sickel  appear  to  give  general  satisfaction. — (Diss 
Debar). 

Quinces  appear  to  do  remarkably  well.  The  fruit  is  larger 
and  freer  from  blemishes  than  that  grown  on  the  Atlan 
tic  slope  in  the  same  latitude.  All  the  varieties  of  cherries 
and  plums  thrive  well.  The  small  Damson  plum  is  almost 
everywhere  a  profuse  bearer,  and  is  used  largely  in  preserv- 
.ing,  &c. 

The  State  has  not  a  sufficient  number  of  nurseries  to  sup 
ply  the  people,  and  this  is  a  serious  drawback  to  extended 
cultivation. 

The  census  for  1870  gives  the  value  of  the  orchard  pro 
ducts  of  the  State  at  $848,773.  Harrison  stands  at  the  head 
of  the  counties,  Avith  a  production  valued  at  $50,826. 

SMALL    FRUITS. 

Most  of  the  small  fruits  cultivated  in  the  temperate  zone 
do  well  in  our  State.  But  little  attention  however  is  paid  to 
their  proper  cultivation.  Where  attention  to  such  cultiva 
tion  is  not  promoted  by  the  demand  created  by  the  presence 
of  large  cities,  such  fruits  are  usually  cultivated  only  by  per- 


84  RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA. 

sons  of  means  and  leisure.  Such  qualifications  are  not  gen 
erally  found  in  our  State.  Again,  the  profusion  in  which  the 
Wild  Cherry,  Strawberry,  Blackberry,  Raspberry  and  Whortle 
berry  grow  in  all  parts  of  the  State,  gives  a  supply  of  small 
fruits  sufficient  to  meet  the  wants  of  the  people.  The  Straw 
berry  and  Raspberry  may  be  cultivated  with  great  success, 
Currants  require  almost  no  attention,  and  Gooseberries  do 
well  generally.  Cranberries  grow  wild  in  some  of  the  bogs  of 
the  mountain  glades,  but  are  not  cultivated  at  all,  notwith 
standing  the  fact  that  considerable  amounts  are  used  for  table 
purposes,  which  must  be  imported.  Along  the  Bait,  and  0. 
R.  R.  access  can  be  had  within  18  hours  to  the  Baltimore  and 
Cincinnati  markets. 

Fowls  of  all  kinds,  turkeys,  eggs,  cvc.,  meet  with  a  ready 
sale  among  the  people  themselves,  and  are  equal  to  cash. 
Fat  turkeys  bring  16  to  17  cents,  chickens  10  to  12  cents  per 
pound.  Eggs,  in  summer,  15  to  20  cents,  in  winter,  25  to  30 
cents  per  do  sen. 

GARDEN    PKOCDUCTS. 

Market  gardening  has  received  but  little  attention,  as  the 
State  is  thinly  settled  and  has  no  populous  cities.  In  Wheel 
ing  and  Parkersburg  the  markets  are  often  as  high  as  those 
of  New  York  and  Philadelphia,  while  the  supply  is  irregular 
and  uncertain.  The  amount  of  income'  from  this  source  re- 
tnrned  for  1870  is  $69,974,  a  sum  considerably  below  the 
truth.  Of  this  Marshall  raised  the  largest  amount,  viz  : 
115,416. 

The  following  garden  vegetables  named  in  alphabetical 
order  attain  perfection  in  the  open  air  in  every  part  of  the 
State : 

Artichoke,  Asparagus,  Beans,  Beets,  Borecole,  Broccoli,  Brussels 
Sprouts,  Cabbage,  Carrots,  Cauliflower,  Celery,  Cress,  Cucumber,  Egg 
Plant,  Endive,  Gourd,  Horseradish,  Jerusalem  Artichoke,  Lettuce, 
Mangel  Wurzel,  Melons  oj  all  kinds,  Mustard,  Okra,  Onion,  Pars- 
lei/,  Parsnip,  Peas,  Pepper  (red,)  Pumpkin,  Radixh,  Rhubarb,  tial- 
*\fy  or  Oyster  Plant, Spinach,  Stjuash,  Tomato,  Turnips  of  all  kmd*. 

Of  culinary  and  medicinal  garden  plants,  we  have  Aniseed, 
( 'araicay,  Chamomilc,  Chervil,  Chive,  Coriander,  Dandelion,  Dill, 
Eslragon,  Garlic,  Hysop,  Lavender,  Leek,  Marjoram,  Mint,  Rose 
mary,  Rue,  Sage,  Paragon,  Thyme,  and  a  number  of  others  of  less 
moment, — (Diss  Debar.) 


RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA.  85 

GRAPE    CULTURE, 

In  the  chapter  on  climatology  it  was  shown  that  the  whole 
of  West  Virginia  is  within  the  themometric  zone  in  which 
the  grape  matures,  and  the  summer  suns  are  amply  sufficient 
to  secure  superior  strength  and  quality  to  the  wine  : 

"  On  asurface  so  diversified  as  that  of  our  State,  it  would  be 
''difficult  to  survey  off  a  one  hundred  acre  tract  anywhere 
"  without  including  at  least  one  suitable  exposure  for  a  vine- 
u  yard  of  from  five  to  twenty  acres,  either  in  the  valleys,  or  on 
"'slopes  of  from  five  to  twenty-five,  degrees.  German  wine 
u  growers,  whoprefer  steeper  grades,  will  find  the  rock  neces- 
"  sary  for  walling  upa  few  feet  below  tne  surface  everywhere. 
"  While  every  character  of  West  Virginia  soil,  whether 
*'  limestone,  clay  loam,  cacareous,  sandy  and  gravelly  loam, 
"  vegetable  mould  or  alluvial,  appear  to  be  almost  equally 
"  wrell  adapted  to  the  grape,  it  must  be  borne  in  mind  that 
"  neither  will  much  avail  if  resting  on  a  sub-soil  of  stiff  clay, 
"  retentive  of  water.  So  soon  as  this  kind  of  foundation  is 
"  reached  by  the  roots  of  the  vine,  mould  and  decay  set  in,  and 
"  fruit  and  plant  are  doomed  to  certain  destruction." — (Hand- 
Book  of  W.  Va.  J.  H.  Diss  Debar.) 

The  number  of  acres  planted  in  regular  vineyards  does  not 
exceed  900  in  the  whole  State.  Seven  hundred  of  these  are 
claimed  for  the  county  of  Ohio.  Wood  county  has  about  150 
acres,  and  the  remainder  is  divided  between  the  counties  of 
Ritchie,  Doddridge,  Marshall,  Lewis,  Berkley,  Greenbrier, 
Mineral,  and  Randolph.  In  none  of  these  last  eight,  except 
ing  Ritchie,  is  the  production  sent  to  markets  outside  of  the 
county. 

For  Ohio  county  the  following  information  was  kindly  fur 
nished  by  G.  W.  Franzheim,  a  large  wine  dealer  of  Wheeling. 
Tho  700  acres  of  vineyards  of  this  county  are  all  within  six 
miles  of  Wheeling.  The  principal  grape  grown  for  wine  is 
the  Catawba,  while  the  Concord,  Isabella  and  Delaware  are 
raided  for  both  wine  and  table  use.  The  Ives  and  Virginia 
Seedling  are  cultivated  for  wine,  though  not  much  attention 
has  been  paid  to  the  former.  Besides  these,  numerous  other 
kinds  have  been  experimented  with,  though  they  give  very 
satisfactory  results,  yet  the  tests  have  not  extended  over  a 
sufficient  number  of  years  to  give  statistics  concerning  them. 


86  RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA. 

The  wine  produced  ranks  high  in  market,  and  is  much 
liked  in  both  the  eastern  and  western  cities,  going  into  New 
York  and  Boston  in  the  one  direction,  and  as  far  as  Omaha  in 
the  other.  As  regards  the  yield  of  wine  per  acre,  it,  of  course, 
varies  very  much  with  the  season,  but  in  seme  instances  the 
Isabella  has  yielded  as  much  as  1,000  gallons.  For  table  use 
the  Concords  are  the  first  to  come  into  market — usually  about 
the  middle  of  September.  This  is  followed  by  the  other  varie 
ties  up  to  about  November.  Large  quantities  are  shipped 
every  year  to  Pittsburgh  and  other  centres,  where  they  sell 
at  an  excellent  profit.  The  retail  price  in  Wheeling  is  from 
6  to  10  cents  per  pound,  according  to  the  abundance  or  scar 
city  of  the  fruit. 

The  grape  crop  of  1874  was  excellent,  in  both  quality  and 
quantity.  The  average  Wheeling  wholesale  price  was  4|  cts. 
per  pound,  which  gave  about  $100,000  for  the  value  of  the 
crop  in  that  year.  About  one-half  of  this  was  manufactured 
into  wine,  and  the  rest  was  consumed  as  fruit. 

As  the  acreage  in  vineyards  shows,  more  attention  is  paid 
to  the  grape  in  this  county  than  in  any  other.  This  is  a  mat 
ter  of  some  surprise,  as  the  crop  is  an  exceedingly  profitable 
one,  and  requires,  for  the  returns  yielded,  but  a  small  amount 
of  labor,  as  one  man  can  work  10  acres,  except  in  weeding 
time  in  midsummer,  when  two  hands  can  do  all  the  necessary 
work  in  a  week. 

In  Wood  county  the  Messrs.  Munch meyer  Brothers,  a,t 
Washington's  Bottom,  nine  miles  below  Parkersburg,  seem 
to  have  taken  the  most  interest-  in  this  fruit.  Their  vine 
yard  extends  from  the  foot  of  the  first  bench,  or  second  bot 
tom,  almost  to  the  river,  on  a  slope  of  not  over  4  or  5  degrees, 
inclined  to  the  west.  They  report  but  little  rot  in  the  Con 
cord,  and  none  in  the  Seedling,  which  latter  ripens  to  great 
perfection.  In  the  same  vineyard,  in  1870,  were  rows  of  Ives' 
Seedling,  Herbemont,  Delaware,  Ion  a,  and  Muscadine,  all 
producing  perfect  fruit.  The  latter  variety  is  almost  identi-x 
cal,  in  flavor  and  appearance,  with  the  Muscat  grape  of  Bur 
gundy,  and  is  decidedly  a  very  superior  table  grape.  It  is 
highly  remunerative. 

In  Ritchie  and  Doddridge  the  Ives  and  Norton's  Virginia 
Seedling  appear  to  be  the  favorites.  From  the  former  county 


RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA.  87 

the  wine,  both  Catawbaand  Seedling,  is  much  superior  to  that 
of  Wood,  owing  to  a  difference  in  soil  and  mode  of  cultivation. 
It  is  exported  principally  to  Pittsburgh,  where  it  is  much 
esteemed. 

In  Doddridge  and  Levris  the  wine  is  made  in  a  natural  and 
proper  way,  but  in  the  other  counties  it  is  often  mixed  with 
sugar  and  alcohol  to  make  it  conform  to  tbe  taste  of  the  na 
tives,  not  familiar  with  the  genuine  article. 

In  the  other  counties,  the  Concord  seems  to  be  the  most 
popular  grape,  and,  upon  tbe  whole,  that  and  Seedlings  have 
proved  tbe  most  hardy  and  thrifty  vines  in  the  State,  tbe  Ca- 
tawba  being  more  or  less  uncertain  every  where.  Tbe  vine 
yards  existing  in  Kanawba,  in  1870,  were  principally  Catawba, 
but  proved  so  unreliable  that  the  owners  have  since  uprooted 
them,  and  are  now  planting  Concord  and  Seedling,  and  so  lit 
tle  is  now  done  in  grapes  in  that  county,  that  the  Charleston 
market  is  supplied  from  tbe  neighboring  States  of  Virginia 
and  Ohio. 

In  Randolph  county,  vineyards  are  beginning  to  be  planted 
at  Mie  bead  of  the  Buckbannon  river,  by  a  Swiss  colony,  at 
Helvetia. 

"  As  to  tbe  benefit."  says  Mr.  Debar,  "  which  the  State 
"derives  from  vine  culture,  it  may  be  regarded  as  two-fold  : 
"First,  In  aiding  the  cause  of  true  temperance,  by  subatitu- 
"  ting  a  mild  and  healthful  beverage,  for  adulterated  and 
"  intoxicating  spirits  ;  and  Second,  by  retaining  in  the  State, 
"  the  money  that  would  be  sent  abroad  for  that  obnoxious 
"  article,  at  least  so  far  as  the  present  rate  of  production  can 
"do  this.  When  the  culture  of  the  grape  shall  be  so  extended 
"as  to  admit  of  exporting  wine  in  large  quantities  toother 
"  States,  the  benefits  of  this  production  of  the  soil  will 
"  become  still  more  apparent,  It  may  be  remarked  here  that 
"  it  can  bo  extended  considerably  without  materially 
"encroaching  upon  the  other  productions  of  the  State, 
"as  it  requires  but  little  surface,  and  that  of  a  kind  not 
"  very  valuable  for  other  crops."' 

The  following  tables  of  tbe  more  important  agricultural 
and  domestic  products  for  1870,  are  here  appended.  We 
must  again  call  attention  to  their  inaccuracy,  and  warn  the 
reader  not  to  consider  them  as  anything  more  than  approxi 
mations,  which  may  serve  to  give  the  relative  amounts  by 
the  several  counties: 


88 


RESOURCES   OF   WEST   VIRGINIA. 


TABLE  A.— Statement  of  the  Principal  Items  of  Farm  Produce  According 
to  the  Census,   1870. 


=  i'~ 

ACRES  OF  LAND.         £.-  E  » 

«—  --r 

UNIMPROVED.    <^5    $. 

C    ~    I-    1 

t5 

•e 

«=•§'    §5sl 

*j 

COUNTIES. 

c 

£ 

~l     !^Z« 
~     >£•'.<$> 

j 

f  . 

X 

dj  ^ 

<~~l  C  -^  O 

GJ 

^ 

. 

M 

i—i 

x 

*-*  S 

£   !-•    1j   (-  ' 

r* 

tt 

P 

+2 

O  ' 

s 

£ 

o" 

& 

£ 

P3 

o 

O 

& 

Xo. 

No. 

No. 

Dolls. 

Bu. 

Ba. 

Bu.         Bu. 

Bvi. 

Total  I 

2,580,2544.364.405 

,583,735  23.379.692 

2,480,148 

277.741  8.197.865  ".413  749 

8°  916 

Barbour  

95,668     120  441) 

110 

664,062 

42,008        3.935!    173,195!      43367 

1  ,637 

Berkeley  .. 

111,857       40,004 

2,931 

1,120,041 

296,975        6,265     297,639     187,588 

463 

Booue  

14,762     116,689 

168,449 

2,585        1,398     129,630       13,667          ]21 

Braxton  

32,240!    133.479 

20,824 

247,372 

20,019        2,883     130,690       'J9,«68           \-*.\ 

Brooke  

54,856           360 

604 

582,583 

45,549          1,145      lSi,r,76        Sl,l:!5 

35 

Cabell  

26,866!      60.802 

24,131 

297,673 

42  592i        2,675 

167,600^      31.586 

35 

Calhoun  

11,315!      67,:  09 

132,11, 

5,354'           849 

52,202        8.357 

379 

Clay  

7,798           627 

55,181 

121,524 

.     l,955j           (57 

39,093       11,497 

97 

Poddridge. 

37,752      112,040 

116 

4C9.541 

15,879         4.I9H 

113064       18.723 

910 

Fayette  

36,410 

o  658 

202,375 

393,195 

13,304        3,003 

123220       41,991 

1,566 

Gilmer  

20,721       93.586 

3  567 

190,092 

9,765        2,1(12 

106,0361      17,592 

543 

Grant  

63,145     113.393 

59 

477,725 

31,566,        x,2f>.»       -•):>,•."()       lo.5<i;; 

Green  brier 
Hampshire 

95099!    170,748 
77,873     163.050 

29,740 
15,221 

690,154 
524,221 

50.214 
76,832 

7,734     181,381       92,295 
21,8851     hO,325       4C.769 

1,511 
5,599 

Hancock  .. 

30,!I47,      16,941 

2,605 

317,05o 

34,270 

11,749;      83,180:      68,494 

2  167 

Hardy  

43,675|    127.180 

8,521 

400,1:8 

33.4H2 

8,939     114,567       13283 

"  (f>0 

Harrison... 

147,488     134,608 

1,687 

1,302,51- 

83,462 

4,551  i    327,261       56,183 

693 

Jackson.... 

4!)  903     100.298 

100 

510,781       59,8  '5 

:H,587|    272.044!      48,521 

*   1  463 

Jefferson... 

92,2-15-      17,89S 

524 

1  134  16t)|    4(;,s  s.'ii; 

7,020     3-S6,  2->7       44  .  77 

Kanawha. 

59,459:    ]64,598 

7,298 

'774,582       -15,5X7 

7/8 

406,826       96,268 

144 

Lewis  

73,878;    110,197 

118,692 

619,527 

41,174 

3,956     191,  u56!      31,776 

652 

Lincoln  

15,613;      84,099 

136,403 

ii'Ji,1!         1,606 

104,961 

12,054 

75 

Logan  

14,149           66f 

169,147 

143,462 

1  784            426 

125,273 

4,142 

22 

Marion  

37,410       25.4SI 

134,811 

26,528        1,109 

63,643 

':9  819 

Marshall  .. 

78,852 

68  992 

601 

857,a~>4 

131,509        7,363 

364,743 

a  1  1,662 

1,944 

Mason  

67,010 

86,4-26 

054.570 

115,2dO           598 

456,99( 

43,46:1 

50 

McDowell. 

4,59-2 

358 

04,-_8f         ."1,1  2." 

675           -160 

31,586 

3,6l5 

156 

Mercer  

47,313 

7,762 

•<:37,t9<       ::o::,.v  < 

25,756:        5,591 

114,746 

43,184 

^2,444 

Mineral  

59,119!      I6j42( 

92834 

445,144 

50,91f 

13,257 

71.895 

29,331 

2,7f5 

Monongalia.. 
Monroe  

112,045;      80,51! 
104,760      ir,  1.031 

143 

3,429 

1,141.  ill  l|     111  751 
51.0,143       52  817 

5,130 
ll,32(. 

301,328 
170,721 

148,1.72 
59,0ti2 

l,b7o 

2.054 

Morgan  
Nicholas  .. 

32,728 

24-455 

63.301 
122.12( 

1,270 
36,146 

266,436      27,697 
315,8541      10.211 

9,217 
1,331 

58.142 
104,301 

19,835 

38,365 

^402 

Ohio 

46,059 
54,041 

14,55; 
109  89: 

300 

687,37H      41.4* 
326  65(i       37  9S 

3,975 

10,594 

225,465 
59,228 

97,37^ 
14,53f- 

3,527 

Pendleton 

Plea  sail  ts 
Pocahontas.. 

17,01)8 
48,829 

44  545 
6.9  J4 

1,874 
286,761 

14l,247|      J  5,283         l,21« 
224,6971      14,901         6,:«J 

66  5H  i        u,.)!  'Hi           10 
46,512      22,343       3,004 

Preston  .... 

102.062 

I00.07J 

15  975 

730,462!      33390      20,f81 

145,004:    189,071 

27,346 

Putnam.... 

Raleigh. 

36,041        -  |  (;<i; 
20,909      I.  is  Jl- 

4,644 

;j-23,132;      39.9801        !,•"!< 
147,910,        7.t09i        1,001 

.32.426!      49,87i 
73,657:      16,27fc 

210 
1,603 

Randolph 

Ritchie  
Roane  

50,036 
46,219 
34  9J 

188.858 
112,115 
130,289 

62  991 
24.881 
85,441 

270  656!       8,969'j       2,19: 
511,910,      25,503      35,63 
317,)50!      '24,('S7         2,17! 

59,758      33,~:37 
146,235       40,033 
160.912       28,489 

1,504 
1,384 
260 

Summers... 

No  sra 

tistics 

Tavlor  

53,815 

40,557 

502,070!      1'8  65t 

)        2,07." 

95,439      45,16d 

483 

Tucker  

]•;  ()yv 

53.U7 

!)5,403'        1,40* 

f          1.2941       27.S13        11,721!         1.843 

Tyler  

45,01!)       72  Mil 

382.653      41,26; 

2,3.6     157,302       42,48ol          682 

V  pshur  

5981: 

95.366 

(2 

5lO,3:i7       •-!'.!U.<- 

6,055     R(8,-J9J       2i,4.". 

yus 

Wayne  
Webster.... 
Wetzel  

.39,554 
6,945 
84,202 

115,548 
62  708 
77^18 

453,45." 
53  07! 
457,561 

23.19T2           402     291,863      Z*,^i 
1.196           8t6      21,075        4,«8t 
37,164}        4,48'Ji    193,111.       06,12: 

240 
2,245 

240 

Wirt  ... 

20  061       75,77. 

574 

237,30' 

15,5;32|       1  025     128.s:1,(i      S7,9sfe          07:: 

Wood  
Wyoming. 

63:8l|      94,428  
9.8U5      3J.870             20 

715,861 
I06,6u 

68,190        5,!r^,    327,  ;0f 
2,150            973      57,89i 

i      80,83! 

11,07; 

1,575 

403 

RESOURCES  OF   WEST   VIRGINIA. 


89 


TABLE  B. 

Statements  of  the   Principal  Items  of  Farm  Produce  According  to  the 
Census  of  1870. 


COUNTIES. 
Total  

d 

& 
o 

1 
g 

Lbs. 
2,046,462 

POTATOES. 

H 

E 

Maple  Sugar. 

Maple  Molasses. 

Sorghum. 

tA 

Oi 
0 

w 

Lbs. 

1 

BuT~ 

1,  053,507 

14,5-26 
17,738 

Sweet. 

Bu. 

Lbs. 

Lbs. 

490,6(6 

28,575 
40 
3,284 
1,360 
1,060 
515 
2.824 
1,736 
3,896 
6,043 
0,305 
39,445 
55,740 
44 
500 
13,175 
11,920 
4J082 

Gals. 

Gals. 

46,984 

82,276 

20,209 

780  ,829 

376  ,997 

Bai'bour  

4,776 

1,502 

2,368 

1,790 

27,890 
164 
6,806 
20.LN1 
3,795 
3'2,d04 
10,240 
4,703 
28,9% 
17,844 
21,151 
823 
1,562 
3,583 
1605 
180 
42.558 
57,041 

9.883 
5,218 
22,547 
100 
6.76:J 
2,61  i5 
2,172 
5,3£5 
5,457 
J2,12! 
2,825 
•V34 
7,9"« 
4,956 
2.165 
2,270 
28,937 
3,718 
9.382 

Berkeley 

Boono  

6,213 

12,013 
9,028 
45.850 
17,39* 
6.160 
2.411 
11,167 
11,359 
7,138 
7,536 
13,928 
18,800 
34,57^ 
7,069 
26,028 
£0,397 
24,305 
44,300 
16,071 

2,676 
641 
855 
1,189 
f<32 
243 
907 
3,059 
579 

2,443 
2,677 

"""480 
1,981 
1,868 
1.013 
5,056 
2,490 

""475 

Bmx'on  

Brooke  . 

Cabell  

135,410 
2,181 
3,175 
17.568 
188.165 
15,9:?  1 
51!) 
3,176 
285 

(Jalhoun 

Clay         

Doddridge  

Fayette. 

tJilrner  

""680 
6,222 

Grant. 

Green  brier  

78 
fiO 
22^ 
84 
229 
357 

7,905 

444 

185 
1,411 

Hampshire 

Hancock 

177 

688 
73 

Hardy  

473 
743 

7,286 

Harrison 

17,098 
90,265 
140 
412,4  9 
51.470 
56,083 
3,912 

Jackson  

Jefferson 

Kaiuiwha  

533 
15C 

3,177 
110 
50 

50 

"i'loo 

5,313 

459 

9,282 
880 
897 
529 
445 
200 
188 
19,917 
3,722 
24,274 
42,744 
50 

52 
125 

45,:-'67 

30.455 
11,285 
5,954 
3,574 
24.25P 
23,722 
,004 
10,802 
679 
36,531 
11,427 
196 
12.589 
3,406 
2,107 
3,3!  9 
515 
8,521 
19,511 
7,163 
8.  603 
29,257 
28,836 

14.3C5 
9,337 
3,499 
16,447 
701 
8,54'J 
270 
6,211 
8,538 
9,400 
10,710 
14,938 
2,176 
1,000 
6,92:. 
5,444 
775 
10,:M7 
13,932 
3,77! 
6,397 
1  0,433 
4,344 
8,512 

Lewis.... 

Lincoln  

Logan  

7,957 
2,4  93 
54,781 
81,534 
2,'UO 
10,867 
8,891 
23,772 
12,164 
10,915 
6,247 
46,748 
8,692 
15,920 
8,623 
24,063 
26.918 
6,7',  0 
L0.00« 
19,538 
15,V(M). 
No 
10,305: 

2,083 

21,159 
11.  4  IS 
21,759 
2,340 
19,209 
17,809 
138,239 
5.962 

3,523 
45 
604 
48 
1,019 
15 

"'Ib 

Marion  

Marshall  

20 
58,600 
3,000 
117,429 

Mason.... 

""467 
173 
733 

2,829 
20 

McDowell  
Mercer  

Mineral  

Monongalia  

2,73^ 
123,321 
1,068 
840 

436 

443 
41 

540 
3,361 
635 

Monroe  . 

Morgan  

Nicholas...  . 

Ohio  

1,4.54 
12 

"3,291 

695 
55,391 
300 
52,448 
6,171 
626 
1,745 
41,434 
4.207 
3,511 

209 
221 

"i',372 

6.6 

72 

Pendleton  

Pleasants  

11.910! 

2,966  f 
1  673 
47  ',785 
5,769 
2,13H 
9,91)7; 
16,885! 

Pocabontas  

1,518 

2,222 
2.481 
2,7!M 
*1 
1,701 
6,922 
cs. 
205 
480 
303 
4,411 
2.51S 
595 
2,208 
1,012 
1,207 
1,834 

Preston  i 

.'91 
1,172 
262 
115 
850 
917 
Statist] 
1,256 
3 
228 
971 
3,281 
26 
11 
1,300 
2,982 
2,269 

Putnam  

Ralfiuh  

Randolph 

154 
118 
2,113 

Ritchie  

Roane  

Surnmeis  

Taylor  

2,259 

7,983 
7,197 
1,815 

12,639 
368 

r.,286 

2,svO 
787 

""552 

482 
117 

""l24 
...... 

60 
...  „ 

10,368 
1,213 
22,768 
18,164 
33.776 
2,591 
18,210 
22,  -2!)!) 
41,720 
3,772 

10,f>15 

4,408 
4,278 
8,647 
4,601 
5,325 
7,308 
2,924 
2,690 
9,287 

Tucker  

Tyler 

47,969 
11,190 
58,'?30; 
2,508 

Up-hur  .... 

Wayne.. 

Webster  

Wetzel  .. 

47,0")0i 
s,712 
21,890 
8S9j 

Wiit 

Wood  

Wyoming  

12 


CHAPTER  V. 
CATTLE   AND  GRASSES. 

BY  WM.  M.  FONTAINE. 

The  history  of  stock  raising  in  our  State  presents  an  in 
stance  of  a  people  gradually  forced  by  natural  causes,  out 
of  the  channels  of  industry,  in  which  their  prejudices 
and  habits  of  life  impelled  them,  into  others  totally  differ 
ent.  If  we  recall  for  a  moment  the  manner  in  which  much 
of  the  State  was  settled,  and  the  people  who  first  occupied  it, 
we  shall  easily  see  that  all  the  conditions  then  existing,  ivere 
unfavorable  ior  the  promotion  of  stock  raising. 

When,  however,  larger  bodies  of  land  had  been  opened,  and 
experience  had  taught  the  farmer  the  disadvantages  of  a 
frequent  ploughing  of  his  fields,  then,  indeed,  a  change  be 
gan  to  take  place.  The  farmer  began  to  seek  some  means  of 
deriving  from  his  grasses,  a  more  speedy  money  return 
than  could  be  obtained  from  the  mere  improvement  of  the 
soil.  He  had  not  far  to  seek.  The  successful  experience  of 
the  thrifty  Pennsylvania  graziers,  was  before  his  eyes.  With 
a  similar  climate  and  soil,  naturally,  similar  success  was 
to  be  expected  here. 

Many  causes  operate  in  West  Virginia  to  induce  an  exten 
sive  cultivation  of  grasses,  and  a  fostering  of  stock  raising. 
Some  of  them  may  be  named  here  : 

When  our  new  grounds  have  been  cultivated  for  several 
years,  and  the  small  roots  which  serve  to  bind  the  soil 
together,  have  been  removed,  owing  to  the  steepness  'of 
our  hillsides,  and  the  lightness  of  the  soil  which  composes 


RESOURCES  OF   WEST    VIRGINIA.  91 

them,  they  suffer  much  from  washing  after  every  ploughing. 
The  most  effectual  way  to  prevent  such  washing  is  to  leave 
the  land  in  grass. 

In  most  of  our  lands,  even  after  merely  removing  the  tim 
ber,  a  heavy  coating  of  Blue  Grass  (poa  syloestris)  puts  up  spon 
taneously,  and  maintains  possession,  without  any  cultivation. 
This  affords  a  nutritive  food  for  stock,  throughout  a  large  part 
of  the  year.  From  the  peculiarity  of  the  structure  of  the  hills 
noted  in  another  connection,  grass  does  not  suffer  from  dry 
weather  on  their  slopes,  but  grows  green  and  luxuriant  to 
their  summits. 

Where  there  is  any  lime  in  the  soil,  as  is  the  case  with 
most  of  our  lands,  decaying  vegetable  matter,  is  eminently 
favorable  for  the  improvement  of  the  land,  since,  as  explained 
elsewhere,  the  carbonic  acid  formed,  brings  the  lime  into  a 
condition,  in  which,  it  may  be  used  by  the  plant.  Again, 
grass,  while  growing,  by  the  action  of  its  roots,  breaks  down, 
and  brings  into  an  available  form,  plant  food  from  other  rocks 
besides  limestones  Hence  the  most  effectual  way  to  rest  land 
of  any  kind,  is  to  allow  it  to  grow  grass. 

Many  of  our  shales  which  show  no  lime  to  the  eye,  contain 
enough  of  it  to  derive  a  great  benefit  in  the  soils  which  they 
form,  from  a  course  in  grass,  and  it  is  not  necessary  to  have, 
in  such  cases,  ledges  of  limestone  among  the  rocks,  in  order  to 
have  a  calcareous  soil  produced.  But  whether  there  be  calca 
reous  matter  present  in  the  soil  or  not,  a  sound  system  of 
agriculture  teaches  the  farmer  to  discontinue  at  certain  inter 
vals,  the  cultivation  of  grains  on  his  land,  and  to  allow  it  to 
rest  in  grass.  For  even  if  the  grass  does  not  produce  a  posi 
tive  benefit,  it  acts  beneficially  in  not  taking  from  the  soil, 
the  same  materials  that  grain  crops  do,  and  in  thus  allowing 
natural  processes  to  accumulate  a  store  of  these  for  further 
cultivation. 

All  of  these  reasons  fostering  the  production  of  grass,  the 
question  arises  how  to  secure  the  most  speedy  returns  from  it. 

Our  want  of  transportation,  and  the  bulkiness  of  the  ma 
terial,  forbids  its  export  in  the  form  of  hay.  The  obvious  solu 
tion  is,  to  turn  the  grass  into  flesh,  for  thus  we  attain  the 
greatest  diminution  of  bulk,  and  the  greatest  concentration 
of  value. 


92  RESOURCES  OF   WEST   VIRGINIA. 

Another  strong  inducement  for  the  raising  of  cattle,  lies  in 
the  fact  that  they,  by  their  consumption  of  grain  in  the  latter 
stages  of  their  fattening,  afford  a  profitable  means  of  consum 
ing,  without  the  cost  of  transport,  a  good  deal  of  our  surplus 
corn.  Indian  corn  is  our  principal  grain,  and  is  produced  so 
abundantly,  on  most  of  our  soils,  that  the  only  limit  is  that 
imposed  by  the  lack  of  some  profitable  way  of  disposing  of  it. 
Here,  also,  in  changing  it  into  flesh,  we  gain  greatly  in  the 
cost  of  carriage,  since  corn  is  bulky  and  difficult  of  transpor 
tation. 

These  causes  have  been  gradually  operating  to  force  upon 
our  farmers  a  greater  attention  to  cattle  raising,  until  now,  in 
some  counties,  it  forms  the  leading  source  of  revenue.  It  must 
be  admitted,  however,  that  nowhere  has  so  great  an  advance, 
as  is  desirable,  been  made  in  either  improving  the  breeds  of 
cattle  or  in  adopting  a  systematic  course  of  grass  production. 

Over  most  of  the  State  the  cattle  are  of  the  so-called  native 
breeds,  a  mixture  descended  from  the  original  stock  of  the  first 
settlers.  These  are  hardy,  small  in  size,  angular  in  outline, 
and  do  not  take  on  fat  well.  They  are  generally  left  to  graze 
on  the  native  grasses  so  long  as  they  can  pick  up  enough  suste  • 
nance  in  the  fields.  This  is  usually  until  November  or  De 
cember.  When  feeding  begins,  shelters  are  hardly  ever  made, 
and  when  they  are  used,  they  are  simply  a  rude  covering, 
affording  hardly  any  protection  against  the  winds.  The 
usual  practice  is  to  leave  the  cattle  in  pasture,  or  to  put  them 
in  enclosures  of  smaller  size,  according  to  the  character  of  the 
winter,  for  when  this  is  somewhat  open,  cattle  can  get -more 
or  less  grain  all  the  time. 

The  feeding  is  managed  in  the  worst  manner,  the  corn 
stalks  or  fodder  being  thrown  into  the  field,  generally  in  the 
same  place,  and  in  this  way  there  is  no  distribution  of  the 
material,  or  of  the  droppings  of  the  cattle,  over  the  field.  The 
failure  to  provide  shelter  causes  the  cattle  to  consume  much 
more  food,  to  maintain  their  vital  heat,  and  it  is  almost  irrt- 
possible  for  them  not  to  lose  flesh. 

The  time  of  feeding  varies  in  different  parts  of  the  State, 
being  in  the  north,  5  months,  and  in  the  south,  3  to  4  months. 
This  length  could  be  reduced  by  paying  more  attention  to 
keeping  a  portion  of  the  land  in  sod.  It  not  seldom  happens 


RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA.  93 

that  no  feeding  is  done  in  the  more  southern  counties.  Diss 
Debar  mentions  meeting  a  herd  of  two-year  old  steers,  brows 
ing  in  the  wilds  of  Logan,  about  the  middle  of  January,  look 
ing  but  little  the  worse  in  flesh.  In  many  case*?,  when  towards 
spring,  fodder  has  become  scarce,  the  cattle  are  driven  into 
the  woods,  and  the  beech  a  ad  linden  trees  are  cut  down  for 
them  to  browse  on  the  young  branches  and  swelling  buds. 

This  is  the  usual  treatment  of  cattle,  except  in  a  few  coun 
ties,  where  a  better  system  is  maintained.  Diss  Debar  says 
of  cattle  raising  in  West  Virginia  :  "  Cows  are  not,  as  a  rule, 
"  kept  for  breeding  purposes  exclusively,  and  hence  the  sup- 
"  ply  of  native  stock  is  not  sufficient  for  the  wants  of  the 
"  graziers,  who  make  up  deficiencies  by  purchases  in  neigh- 
"  boring  States,  principally  Ohio.  Stock  cattle  ot  all  grades 
"  and  ages  are  bought  up  and  grazed  in  W.  Va.  until  ready 
"  for  market.  Some  dealers,  who  cut  large  crops  of  hay,  win- 
"  ter  extensive  herds  of  mixed  ages,  others  confine  themselves 
"  to  grazing  more  particularly  three  year-old  steers  up  to  mar- 
"  ket  order,  and  winter  but  little,  beginning  to  ship  in  June, 
"  and  ending  in  November.  Grain  feeding,  for  later  use,  is 
"  principally  confined  to  the  Ohio  river  and  Potomac  coun- 
"  ties.  In  sections*  where  pasture,  especially  Blue  Grass,  has 
"  been  economized  in,  the  fattening  steers  are  turned  out  on 
"  grass  as  early  as  March,  and  mature  in  June  or  July.  This 
"  mode  of  operation,  while  requiring  the  least  labor,  unques- 
"  tionably  yields  the  largest  profit  in  proportion  to  the  period 
u  of  investment ;  i.  e.,  50  per  cent  on  the  cost  of  the  animal  in 
"  the  spring.  But  to  pursue  it  on  a  large  scale  requires  an 
'"  abundance  of  first  class  sod,  conveniently  portioned  off  to 
"  afford  a  change  of  pasture. 

"Within  the  last  fifteen  to  twenty  years,  the  native  stock 
"  has  been  materially  improved,  by  crossing  with  shorthorns, 
"Devons,  and  grades  of  these.  On  lowland  farms,  with  good 
"  winter  accommodations,  and  an  abundance  of  feed  all  times, 
"the  Durham  matures  with  profit  to  its  owner;  but  the  neat, 
u  compact,  and  nimble  Devon,  is  the  animal  for  our  hills. 
"  Crosses  of  Devon  and  common  stock  are  fast  being  introduced 
"  into  every  section  of  the  State,  and  West  Virginia  beef  cat- 
u  tie  are  successfully  competing  with  the  product  of  other 
"  States  in  the  Baltimore  market,  where,  requiring  but  a  few 


94  KESOURCES   OF   WEST   VIRGINIA. 

"hours  transportation,  they  arrive  in  good  condition.  The 
"  cost  of  grazing  stock  is  materially  reduced,  when  the  cattle 
"are  summered  in  the  woods,  during  the  second  and  third 
"  years,  with  no  other  trouble  and  expense,  except  an  occasional 
*'  looking-up  and  salting.  When  the  pea-vine  and  other  succu- 
"  lent  herbage  abounds,  as  it  does  in  the  greater  portion  of  the 
"  State,  the  results  in  growth  and  flesh,  compare  favorably 
"  with  those  of  field  pasturing,  though  less  tallow  may  be 
"  formed. 

"Many  farmers,  in  the  older  counties,  are  in  the  habit  of 
"sending  their  stock  to  be  summered  in  the  woods  in  distant, 
"  and  less  improved  sections,  under  care  of  some  settler  of  the 
"  locality.  Others  use  for  that  purpose,  the  so-called  '  moun- 
"  tain  farms,'  on  the  table  lands  of  Randolph,  Pocahontas, 
"  Webster,  Nicholas,  <fcc.,  under  the  supervision  of  the  work- 
"  hands  engaged  in  clearing  and  fencing  them.  These  moun- 
"  tain  farms,  which  generally  produce  the  finest  beef  and 
"mutton  in  the  State,  are  generally  improved  at  trifling  cost. 
"  The  land  freldom  costs  more  than  $1.50  per  acre.  After  con- 
"  structing  a  worm  fence,  at  the  cost  of  $2.00  per  acre,  or  less, 
"  according  to  the  area  inclosed,  the  largest  timber  is  girdled 
"or  deadened,  at  the  expense  of  fifty  cents,  or  SI. 00  per  acre, 
"  making  the  cost  of  the  improvement,  say  $4.50,  land  in- 
"  eluded.  The  girdled  timber  dies  during  the  first  year,  letting 
u  in  light  and  heat  sufficient  for  vegetation.  When  neither 
"  oak  nor  hickory  grow,  no  undergrowth  is  to  be  found,  either 
u  before  or  after  clearing,  and  the  first  thing  that  comes  up 
"  after  the  deadening,  is  a  thick  growth  of  blackberry  briers 
"  which  will  die  out  in  two  years,  or  sooner,  if  cattle  are  turned 
"  in  to  keep  them  down.  By  that  time,  the  native  spontan- 
"  eous  Blue  Grass,  jhas  taken  possession,  and  the  farm  is  ready 
"  to  yield  a  perennial  pasture,  worth  at  least  $4.00  per  acre, 
"  In  the  course  of  a  few  years,  the  girdled  timber  has  dried 
"  enough  to  burn  in  the  log,  so  soon  as  cut  down,  requiring  no 
tk  piling  up  in  heaps.  The  cost  of  the  final  operation,  varies 
"  with  the  size  of  the  timber,  from  $2.00  to  $2.50  per  acre. 

"In  the  remainder  of  the  State,  where  undergrowth  pre- 
"  yails,  more  or  less  repeated  grubbing  is  needed,  to  make  a 
"  clear  field." 

Several  other   methods  are  adopted   in  preparing  pasture 


RESOURCES   OF   WEST   VIRGINIA.  95 

lands,  which  we  need  not  notice  here.  It  will  be  noted  that 
a  vast  amount  of  timber  is  wasted  in  these  clearings,  all  of  it 
sooner  or  later,  being  consumed.  In  this  rough  way,  the  oldest 
and  most  extensive  grazing  farms  were  originally  cleared,  and 
gradually  enriched  their  owners.  Says  Diss  Debar :  ''  For 
tunes  of  $50,000  to  $150,000,  were  accumulated  in  the  live 
stock  business,  by  men  who  started  in  life  as  common  farm 
hands,  and  began  their  independent  career  with  a  brace  of 
calves." 

The  principal  grazing  counties  in  the  State  are  Barbour, 
Harrison,  Hampshire,  Greenbrier,  Monroe,  Hardy,  Jefferson, 
Marion,  Monongalia,  and  Preston,  to  which  may  be  added 
Brooke,  Hancock,  Marshall,  Mason,  Mercer,  Pocahontas,  Ohio, 
and  Taylor.  The  entire  product,  and  that  of  the  several 
counties,  may  be  seen  in  table  C.  It  is  to  be  noted  that  the 
return  for  Marion  is  plainly  wrong. 

It  has  been  found  very  difficult  to  get  details  of  the  stock 
management  in  different  sections  of  the  State.  We  append 
some  extracts  from  reports  : 

Mr.  Lot  Bo  wen,  a  large  dealer  in  cattle  in  Harrison  county, 
says :  "  Every  breed  of  cattle  of  which  an  introduction  has 
u  been  attempted,  thrives  wrell  (in  the  State),  but  owing  to 
uthe  superior  natural  advantages  possessed  by  the  short- 
"  horns  and  grades,  they  will  maintain  the  precedence.  The 
"  management  of  our  cattle  embodies  the  smallest  compara- 
"  tive  expenditure  of  labor.  They  are  wintered  without  shel- 
4'  ter,  and  are  grazed  8  to  9  months  in  the  year.  By  proper 
"  management,  they  require  attention  only  3  months,  with 
"  dry  feed.  Shelter  is  seldom  given,  and  grain  is  not  fed  in 
"  abundance,  yet  the  results  are  always  flattering  and  prof- 
"  itable.  My  observation  justifies  the  assertion,  that  with 
"  parallel  advantages,  our  stock  growers  may  positively  look 
"  for  results  more  than  equal  to  those  obtained  in  the  neigh- 
"  boring  States. 

"  Not  possibly  over  one-twentieth  of  our  cattle  find  a  home 
"consumption.  Our  markets  are  of  speedy  access,  in  Mary 
land,  Pennsylvania,  and  New  York,  principally  in  the  city 
''sale  yards.  Quite  a  respectable  percentage  goes  to  stock  the 
"farms  of  interior  Pennsylvania,  and  ultimately  find  their 
"  way  to  the  eastern  markets. 


96  RESOURCES   OF   WEST    VIRGINIA. 

"  Our  cattle  in  the  markets  have  a  flattening  average, 
"  returning  to  our  farmers  an  average  of  $9  per  hundred,  net 
"  weight,  during  1875.  The  State  ships  annually,  not  less 
"than  $5,000,000  worth  of  cattle.  As  a  single  instance  illus 
trative  of  her  capacity,  I  will  state  that  during  the  shipping 
"  season  of  1875.  along  the  line  of  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio 
"Railroad,  reaching  from  Pennsboro  to  Patterson's  Creek,  I 
"  shipped  over  9,000  cattle,  returning  to  the  farmers  therefor 
"  more  than  $700,000. 

"From  many  years  expeiience  in  the  live  stock  interest, 
"  and  varied  opportunities  for  observation,  I  am  led  to  look 
"  upon  our  State,  as  being  but  in  the  infancy  of  a  most  envi- 
"  able  career,  as  a  stock  growing  country.  While  her  hills 
"are  not  adapted  to  the  plough,  they  are  capable,  with  less 
"  toil.,  of  returning  more  than  parallel  results  to  the  grazier. 

"  The  cattle  produce  of  the  State  is  largely  on  the  increase, 
"and  with  proper  efforts  and  favorable  legislation  in  mone- 
"  tary  interests,  s^oon  West  Virginia  will  outrank  any  of  her 
"  area  on  the  continent  in  this  department/1 

Mr.  R.  K.  Cautley  says  of  the  stock  in  Greenbrier :  "  It  is 
"  nearly  all  Durham  and  grades,  with  an  increasing  tendency 
"  to  pure  blood.  On  the  indigenous  Blue  Grass  of  the  county, 
"  if  kept  for  wintering  them,  cattle  will  do  well  all  the  win- 
"  ter,  and  except  in  the  rare  case  of  the  land  getting  ice- 
"  caked,  need  no  feeding." 

Orchard  Grass,  Timothy,  and  English  Blue  Grass,  and  Red 
Clover,  all  do  well.  The  usual  rotation  of  crops  in  this 
county  is  Corn,  Oats,  Wheat,  and  three  years  in  Grass,  of 
which,  two  years  are  mowed,  and  one  grazed.  T\vo  careful 
cow-keepers  reported  to  Mr,  Cautley  that  the  best  milch  cows 
are  the  grades,  and  scrub  cows,  bred  with  common  Durham 
bulls.  A  well  fed  co\v  will  average  four  gallons  of  milk  per 
diem.  Two  cows  made  1,000  pounds  of  butter  in  one  year, 
and  produced  four  fine  calves.  As  long  as  cows  are  pastured 
on  Blue  Grass,  at  any  time  of  the  year,  the  butter  remains 
yellow.  They  begin  feeding  (Pumpkins)  September  15th  to 
3Uth,  and  put  out  on  to  grass  fields  May  1st. 

The  counties  along  the  Ohio  river,  in  the  north,  pay  a  good 
deal  of  attention  to  stock  raising,  and  also  to  the  production 
of  grass,  for  which  the  hills,  as  well  as  the  bottoms,  are  emi- 


RESOURCES  OF  WEST  VIRGINIA.  97 

nently  adapted.  We  have  already  under  the  head  of  rotation 
of  crop?,  in  the  general  remarks  on  agriculture,  adverted  to 
the  method  pursued  here.  It  is  sufficient  to  say  in  this  place, 
that  Red  Clover  and  Timothy,  are  preferred  to  all  others  in  the 
production  of  hay,  preference  being  given  to  Timothy.  Sod 
and  grazing  lands  are  almost  entirely  formed  of  Blue  Grass  (the 
native),  this  being  indigenous,  lasts  indefinitely,  and  takes 
the  land  from  any  other  kind  of  grass.  Whether  in  meadow 
or  pasture,  the  land  improves  so  long  as  it  is  in  grass,  and  they 
depend  upon  this  treatment,  without  manure,  to  enrich  their 
soils. 

It  must  be  borne  in  mind  that  this  land  is  generally  highly 
calcareous,  and  of  a  character  to  derive  the  highest  benefit 
from  a  course  of  grass. 

Mr.  St.  Geo.  Bryan,  assistant  to  the  State  Board  of  Centen 
nial  Managers,  says  of  the  counties  of  Richie,  Wirt,  &c.: 
"  Timothy  is  the  grass  most  usually  seeded,  on  account  of  its 
u  superior  hay  making  properties.  It  runs  out  in  about  four 
"  to  six  years.  Herds  Grass  produces  finely  in  this  belt. 
"Orchard  Grass  is  also  grown.  None  of  them  grow  to  any 
u  extent  during  the  winter.  Red  Clover  grows  finely,  but  like 
"  Timothy,  soon  runs  out.  Blue  Grass  is  everywhere  the  main 
"  sod  producer,  for  which  it  is  eminently  fitted,  and  through 
put  this  section,  fertilizes  the  soil,  so  long  as  it  remains  in 
"  it."  Mr.  Bryan  states  that  it  is  still  within  the  memory  of 
some  of  the  older  inhabitants  of  West  Virginia,  when  not  a 
blade  of  Blue  Grass  was  known  in  the  best  Blue  Grass  region 
of  the  State.  One  of  its  most  valuable  properties,  is  that  of 
-growing  during  the  winter.  It  does  not  grow  very  well,  when 
exposed  to  great  heat  in  summer.  The  soil  of  the  counties 
in  question,  though  showing  no  limestone,  has  a  considerable 
amount  of  lime  diffused  through  the  shales. 

From  the  South  Branch  district,  which  is  one  of  the  finest 
cattle  regions  in  the  State,  if  not  the  very  finest,  we  have  few 
data.  The  best  grass  lands  here  are  the  splendid  valleys,  which, 
long  and  narrow,  run  parallel  to  each  other  in  a  N.  E.  and  S. 
W.  direction.  Cattle  are  grazed  in  summer  on  the  mountains 
or  uplands,  and  are  fed  corn  in  winter.  According  to  Mr.  Thos. 
Maslin,  the  district  probably  sends  to  market  every  year,  20,- 
000  head,  averaging  1,250  pounds.  Of  these,  the  lightest  find 
13 


98  RESOURCES   OP   WEST   VIRGINIA. 

a  market  in  Baltimore  and  Philadelphia,  and  the  heaviest  in 
New  York.  The  home  price  is  5J  cents  per  pound  gross,  giv 
ing  a  return  of  $1,375,000. 

With  respect  to  the  grasses  cultivated  in  Harrison  and  other 
counties,  Mr.  Bowen  says  :  "Our  grasses  are  principally  limited 
"to  the  native  or  Blue  Grass,  the  White  and  Red  Clovers,  and 
"Timothy.  The  first  being  indigenious,  is  all  that  can  be 
"  required  for  our  soil  and  temperature,  while  it  is  unrivalled 
"  as  a  pasturage,  at  all  seasons,  for  any  kind  of  stock,  and  espe- 
"  cially  for  beef  making  and  dairy  purposes.  The  finest  butter 
"  we  have  ever  seen,  may  be  produced  with  requisite  facilities, 
"  from  our  Blue  Grass  pastures. 

"  White  Clover. — This  favorite  lawn  grass  of  the  Apirian, 
"  may  be  considered  a  natural  product  of  our  soils.  It  is  exten- 
"  sively  grown,  and  much  valued,  for  summer  and  fall  grazing. 

"  Pure  Timothy — Is  principally  the  grass  of  our  best  meadows. 
"  Seed  sown  in  August  and  September  is  ready  to  winter  safely, 
"and  be  mown  the  following  summer.  To  continue  in  success 
ful  growth,  it  should  not  be  cut  until  the  seed  is  fully 
"  ripened.  It  grows  luxuriantly,  yet  is  less  capable  of  with- 
"  standing  the  extremes  of  heat  and  cold,  than  the  foregoing 
"  varieties.  A  summer  pasturage  of  the  three  grasses  men- 
"  tioned,  grown  together,  cannot  be  equalled.  It  is  from  her 
"  hillsides,  thus  richly  carpeted,  that  our  noble  young  State 
"  sends  to  the  consumer  a  beef,  which,  for  unquestioned  health- 
" fulness,  and  rich  and  delicate  flavor,  cannot  be  rivalled  ori  the 
"continent. 

"  Red  Clover — Is  somewhat  grown,  and  esteemed  for  summer 
"  grazing;  also,  for  hay.  Its  remarkable  qualities  as  a  fertili- 
"  zer,  if  left  uncut,  or  turned  under  for  that  purpose,  commend 
"  it  to  all. 

"  Orchard  Grass — Is  being  introduced  with  the  very  best 
"  results.  It  adapts  itself  to  all  varieties  of  temperature  ancl 
"  soil,  though  it  thrives  most  luxuriantly  on  a  rich  loose  loam. 
"  It  is  an  excellent  grower,  producing  fine  sod,  and  resisting 
"  close  grazing  only  second  to  Blue  Grass.  If  cut  early,  it  cures 
"  into  an  excellent  hay." 


RESOURCES   OF   WEST   VIRGINIA. 

TABLE  0. 

Statement  of  Live  Stock,  &c  ,  According  to  the  Census  of  1870. 


99 


. 

1    !H 

3  O 
SB""1 

!i. 

Ill 

I 

05 

4H 

0*3          i 

:h  Cows. 

•k  Oxen. 

Other  Cattle. 

1 

33 

i 

Butter. 

oi 

w 

rons. 

>24,164 

10,803 
8,5.9 
191 
1,951 
7,570 
680 
985 
274 
4,649 
1,649 
1,636 
4,787 
7,444 
4,587 
4,351 
2,651 
16,901. 
2,934 
5,753 
2,84u 
8,620 
293 
178 
3,78l) 
5,750 

8 
2,517 
5,104 
12,030 
5.3HK 
1.996 
3,029 
8389 
5,079 
592 
4,797 
11,961 
1,446 
951 
7,298 
4,732 
3,013 

6,710 
1,498 
4,365 
7,233 
1,039 
504 
2,947 
1,527 
5,578 
294 

<**  . 

>J'       i 

0 

Dolls. 

Dolls.     No. 

No. 

No. 

No. 

P'unds 

P'unds  r 

Total  4,914,792  17,175.420  104,434 

18,937 
421 

24; 

44H 
375 

70 
685 
18S 
129 
362 
436 
271 
44 
496 
21 
72 
146 
706 
61  8 
91 
1,078 
482 

78,309  552,327!!  1,593,541 

1,044,475  ^ 

Barbour  
Berkeley  ; 

192,667 
154.774 
5-8.2  1  5 
43,890 
92,099 
37,123 
17,?»74i 
15.306! 
80,264 
64  5J4 
27,621 
173  71(> 

658,275 
496,532: 
129,213 
218,990] 
265,944 
146,412 
81,350 
63,096 
300,951)  ; 
225,085 
162,509! 
363,399 
553,856 
381454 
218,840 
288,204 
1,267,287 
370,^71 
581,038! 
413  4501 
564,196 
86,626 
116,372 
247  090 
580,7130 
544,554 
39,500 
297,648 
277,600 
871,260 
567,053 
142,792 
1*5,532 
418  466 
328,164 
98,257 
)       358,229 
613,369 
3       251,019 
1       119,184 
3       369,  15* 
3      29d,19£ 
3       241,58e 
\  tistics. 
1       390,93* 
9       112.5& 
1       330,77' 
8       383,501 
3       259,32' 
1         49,60' 
I       255,59' 
J       143,16, 
5       392,72 
5        80,42 

3,622 
3,050 
1,356 
2,i49 
1,H60 
833 
666 
722 
1.987 
2,267 
1,^95 
1,739 
3,201 
2.673 
86y 
1,370 
4,916 
2.289 
2,489 
3,400 
2,962 
950 
1,361 
1,110 
3,071 
2,331 
54 
2,722 
1,531 
4.606 
3,00t 
111S 
1,601 
1,58; 
2,27( 
63* 
2,441 
45;< 
1     1,^6 
1,54 
1,97 
2,07 
1,85 

}     1,79 
5        63 
1,56 
)     2,35 
•      1,82 
1        64 
"     1,64 
i        95 
)     2,7fc 
)      1,0 

7,647| 
3,991 
2,001 
1J30! 
1.439 
1,660 
716 
552 
2,420 
2,600 
1,426 
4,686 
6,703 
3.863 
929 
4,528 
15,149 
3,036 
3,222 
4,011 
7,654 
1,158 
1,636 
2,204 
3,36t 
4,350 
619 
2,90 
3,62 
7,713 
6,888 
L.42G 
3,821 
1,29? 
5,10* 
1,101 
J     5,47f 
J\     6,23( 
5     2J225 
I      1,53* 
'•>     6,25( 
3     2,885 
1     2,97 

1)     4,551 
5     1,00 
8     3,30 
7     4,30 
7     2,50 
7         64 
0     1,82 
1      1,00 
7     2,94 
5     1,41 

11,738 
9,213 
3,955 
9,923 
46,581 
4025 
3,232 
2,667 
7,183 
8,709 
6,100 
7,551 
13,880 
8,317 
26,353 
4,176 
15,812 
13,610 
6,521 
9,879 
10,921 
3,874 
4,50o 
4,92 
37,508 
9.88 
1,300 
8,29 
6,42 
1   17,37 
11,51 
2,68 
8,17 
47,20 
9,94 
2,91 
>    10,82- 
>   22,33 
I     6,29 
5     5,46 
J      8,52 
i    11,60 
)    12,97 

5     6,00 
J     2,60 
7    12,11 
4     8,00 
7     9,72 
2     2,01 
3     9,54 
8      418 
3    10,41 
7     2,82 

31,973 
41,147 
9,699! 
18,507! 
185,105 
8,676 
6,555 
5,731 
17,441 
16,331 
12,736 
20,689 
34,051 
i  6,658 
128.642 
13,566 
45,662 
29,85i 
28,699 
20,457 
26,955 
7,151 
6,296 
12,780 
119,579 
22,853 
2,404 
18,713 
23,406 
55,8ot 
26,694 
7,564 
18,838 
175,12^ 
26,275 
6,441 
24,13' 
58,38* 
14,995 
11,33* 
17,70< 
26,82* 
24,17 

17,2a 
6,09 
5       26,70 
0      21,85 
3       1702 
8        4,59 
5      23,39 
3        9.51 
9      24,83 
7        5,63 

157,317 
239.493' 
55,784 
34,  733  ; 
110,307 
28,674 
24,640 
30,o95: 
113,649; 
72,188! 
44,929 
67,587 
174,865 
114.948 
70,588 
39,057 
276,955 
87,052 
120,374 
163,142 
113,259 
48,271 
29,182 
22,927 
j    204,480 
5,002 
15,597 
109,355 
52  078 
345,573 
163,540 
41,183 
164,990 
120,135 
56.876 
11C 
'     !65,74C 
i     193.239 
'       63,061 
*      41,63f 
)       90,841 
i     116,094 
3     100,371 

3      97,22.- 
3      26,761 
4     108,08( 
7     127,15* 
2       68,96" 
B       14.56, 
2     119,39 
5       44,00 
0     215,57 
0      32,32 

Braxton  
Brooke  
Tabell  

Calhoun           .  ' 

Clay    , 

Doddridge.  ; 
Fayette  i 
Gilmer  j 

Green  brier  | 
Hampshire  ! 
Hancock  ; 
Hardy                ' 

187,175 
115,575 
47,996 
179  809 
403,235 
84,771 
157,110 
124  047 
154,966 
32,474 
23,429 
*J  .353 
128561 
164,483 
10,143 
50,056 
155,084 
304,0*  •< 
'    158,461 
36,  lit 
46,56"; 
i    100,4!f 
108,801 
12,69- 
39,231 
118.20 
70,63, 
24.88 
4l|45 
106,01 
69,33 
.    Nosti 
135,14 
17,71 
50  1  2 

Harrison  
Tack  so  ii-. 

Jefferson  

Kanawha.. 

Lewis  

Lincoln. 

448 
'     9u3 
173 
515 

83; 

8< 

28 
1 
76 
28. 

32 

>         20 

12 
)         26< 
3         Iff 

>        81, 
i        27- 
J        24, 
9        38 
S        50 

1         17 
7          7 
6        30 
4         25 
7      1,83 
3         12 
1         40 
4        25 
3        49 
2        16 

Logan  
-Marion  
Marshall  
Mason  . 

McDowell  
Mercer 

Mineral 

Monongalia.... 
Monroe  

Morgan  
Nicholas  
Ohio  
Pendleton  

Pleasants  
Pocahontas..  .. 
Preston  

Putnam       

Raleigh  
Randolph  
Ritchie  
Roane  
Summers  
Tavlor  . 

Tucker  
Tyler. 

Upshur  
Wayne  
Webster  
Wetzel. 

.     131,94 
.       90,77 
8,31 
82  31 

Wirt  
Wood  

42,451 
132,05 

Wyoming  

17,63 

:;:The  value  of  slaughtered  animals  put  for  Marion  is  plainly  wrong. 


CHAPTER    VI. 
SHEEP  AND  WOOL. 

BY    C.    H.    BEALL,   OF    BROOKE    COUNTY, 

Prof.  M.  F.  Maury, 

DEAR  SIR  :  In  complianoe  with  your  request  of  last  Decem 
ber,  I  send  you  the  following  facts  concerning  the  wool  and 
sheep  interests  of  West  Virginia  : 

Among  the  attractions  offered  to  the  immigrant  by  our 
young  and  flourishing  State,  none  stand  out  more  prominent 
ly,  or  offer  more  inducements,  than  the  raising  of  Merino 
sheep  and  the  production  of  Merino  wool. 

It  seems  to  be  impossible  to  give  an  intelligent  account  of 
our  present  subject  without  giving  an  outline  sketch  of  the 
origin  and  history  of  the  present  fine  wooled  sheep  of  the 
United  States.  This  we  will  make  as  brief  as  possible. 

The  original  source  of  the  Spanish  Merino  is  unknown.  "  It 
is  generally  conceded,  however,  that  at  least  as  early  as  the 
commencement  of  the  Christian  era  there  existed  in  Spain  a 
breed  of  fine  wooled  sheep.  From  this  arose  several  varieties 
in  the  different  provinces  of  that  country,  and  importations 
from  these  have,  from  time  to  time,  been  made  into  several 
countries  of  Europe,  and  also  into  America. 

These  importations  have  generally  retained  the  name  "Me 
rino,"  which  they  bore  in  Spain,  while  receiving,  as  an  ad 
junct,  the  name  of  the  country  into  which  they  were  taken. 

Thus  we  have  the  "Saxon  Merino,"  the  "German  Merino," 
the  "French  Merino,"  and  the  "American  Merino,"  some 
times  improperly  called,  also,  the  "  Spanish  Merino." 


RESOURCES  OF   WEST   VIRGINIA.  101 

Thus,  it  will  be  seen  that  the  three  present  great  branches 
of  the  Merino  came  originally  from  Spain.  These  are  the 
French,  the  German,  and  the  American.  Each  of  these  has 
been  repeatedly  tried  in  West  Virginia,  and  the  general  con 
clusion  is,  that  the  American  Merino,  improved  in  its  stamina 
and  form,  enlarged  in  its  carcass,  and  having  the  weight  of 
its  fleece  almost  doubled  by  a  long  course  of  patient  and  care 
ful  breeding,  is,  for  all  purposes,  the  most  valuable  decendant 
and  representative  of  the  original  Spanish  Merino  which  can 
be  obtained. 

Having  said  this  much  by  way  of  introduction,  we  will 
now  proceed  to  deal  more  specially  with  the  subject  of  sheep 
raising  in  our  State. 

The  raising  of  sheep,  and  the  production  of  wool,  has,  so 
far,  been  mainly  confined  to  the  "Panhandle,"  i.e.  the  four 
counties  of  Hancock,  Brooke,  Ohio,  and  Marshall.  What  will 
be  said  of  these,  in  this  connection,  may,  with  some  modifica 
tion,  be  applied  to  the  entire  State. 

Soil  of  the  State. — Much  of  the  soil  of  our  State  is  of  that  kind 
called  "limestone,"  or  " calcareous."  While  it  has  enough 
calcareous  matter  usually  to  ensure  fertility,  it  is  of  such  a 
nature  as  to  retain  no  water  on  its  surface.  It  is  generally 
friable  and  easily  broken  up,  and  is  cultivated  without  diffi 
culty,  while  it  contains  no  element  injurious  to  the  feet  and 
fleece  of  the  sheep.  Always  covered  with  a  dense  coating  of 
fresh,  green  grass,  it  is  perfectly  clean  and.  free  from  the  dust 
and  sand  that  are  so  troublesome  in  some  sections. 

Such  is  the  freedom  of  our  soil  from  every  thing  that  can 
destroy  the  whiteness,  pliableness,  and  silken  character  of  the 
fleece,  that  after  washing  our  sheep  in  spring,  preparatory  to 
shearing,  we  turn  them  out  in  our  pasture  fields  with  their 
coats  still  saturated  with  water,  without  the  slightest  injury 
to  the  wool.  When  our  sheep  are  shorn,  the  wool  comes  from 
their  bodies  as  soft,  white,  and  pliable,  as  nature,  under  the 
most  favorable  circumstances,  can  make  it. 

In  our  water  we  are  peculiarly  fortunate.  There  is,  per 
haps,  no  where  a  section  more  bountifully  supplied  with  this 
material.  The  whole  State  is  broken  up  into  hills  and  val 
leys,  and  watered  with  never-failing  streams  and  copious 
springs,  so  that  its'entire  area  might  be  divided  into  ten  or 


102  RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA. 

twenty  acre  lots,  each  of  which  would  have  either  a  perennial 
stream  or  a  never  freezing  fountain.  This  water  is  of  the 
very  best  character;  cold,  pure,  and  invigorating,  it  meets 
every  requirement  of  the  shepherd. 

Another  great  advantage  enjoyed  by  West  Virginia  in  the 
breeding  of  sheep,  and  growing  of  wool,  is  the  natural  fertility 
of  her  soil.  This,  taken  in  connection  with  her  genial  cli 
mate,  should  make  the  State  permanently  the  home  of  the 
shepherd  and  his  flocks. 

.Even  with  our  present  defective  system  of  cultivation — 
the  natural  outgrown  of  the  fertility  of  our  soil — we  can  raise 
a  greater  variety  and  quantity  of  agricultural  products  than 
almost  all  other  sections  that  rank  as  sheep-breeding  and  wool- 
raising  districts.  This  is  true,  both  of  our  pasture  and  winter 
feed.  Of  the  former  we  have  as  the  principal  varieties,  Red 
Clover,  Timothy,  and  Blue  Grass.  These  grow  with  great 
luxuriance  and  are  of  superior  quality.  Of  the  latter,  the 
chief  varieties  are  the  grains  :  Corn  and  Oats,  and  as  rack-feed 
Corn-Fodder,  Timothy  and  Clover  hay.  Such  is  the  excellence 
and  abundance  of  these  products  that  the  cost  of  wintering 
sheep,  horses,  and  cattle — the  principal  farm  animals — is 
much  less  in  our  State  than  in  most  of  the  sheep-breeding  sec 
tions  of  the  country. 

Asa  proof  of  this,  we  here  present  a  tabular  statement  of 
the  comparative  cost  of  wintering  these  animals  in  the  States 
named.  The  table  was  compiled  from  statistics  that  appeared 
in  the  Monthly  Report  of  the  Department  of  Agriculture,  for 
the  months  of  February  and  March,  1875.  The  States  men 
tioned  have  been  selected,  and  are  the  principal  sheep-breed 
ing  and  wool-growing  ones  of  the  Union.  The  costs  are  as 
follows : 


RESOURCES   OF   WEST    VIRGINIA. 
COST  OF  WINTERING  STOCK. 


103 


STATES. 

£ 

1C 

s-i  o3 

02 

—    r-±      ' 

~s  — 
*>ls 

d>  o> 

Maine 

S37.00 
37.00 
38.00 
37.00 
48.00! 
36.00 
43.00! 
34.00 
22.00 
25.00 
18.00 

$29,00) 
38.001 
25.0(| 
24.00 
29.00 
23.00 
20.00! 
20-00! 
ll.OOi 
IG.OOj 
12.00| 

$3.00 
2.50 
2.50 
2.50 
2.00 
2.00 
2.75 
2.75 
1.50 
1.75 
121 

New  Hampshire 

Vermont  
New  York 

New  Jersey 

Maryland 

Virginia                                                                            ..    . 

Ohio 

West  Virginia  

By  an  examination  of  the  above  tables,  it  will  be  seen  that 
the  cost  of  wintering  a  horse  in  New  Jersey,  is  nearly  three 
times  as  much  as  in  West  Virginia,  while  there  is  a  gain  of 
$4.00  per  head  over  Virginia,  the  next  lewest  State.  It  will 
also  be  seen  that,  while  there  is  a  loss  of  $1.00  per  head,  on 
milch  cows,  as  compared  with  that  State,  there  is  an  import 
ant  gain  over  all  the  others.  Our  State,  in  the  cost  of  sheep, 
is  29  cents  per  head,  cheaper  than  all  others. 

These  gains  are  partly  due  to  the  fact  that  our  feeding  period 
is  shorter  than  that  of  some  of  the  States,  whose  names  appear 
in  the  list,  but  chiefly  to  the  superior  productiveness  of  our 
soil.  In  proof  of  this,  we  may  point  to  the  fact  that  according 
to  the  agricultural  report  above  referred  to,  the  feeding  period 
of  Virginia  is  only  four  months,  while  in  West  Virginia,  it  is 
four  and  three-fourth  months,  with  two  months  partial  feed 
ing,  and  yet  it  costs  29  cents  more  to  winter  a  sheep  in  Vir 
ginia  than  in  West  Virginia. 

But  whether  these  difference  depend  on  soil  or  climate,  or 
both,  they  are  nevertheless  gains,  and  the  foregoing  table  pre 
sents  proof  not  to  be  overcome,  that  West  Virginia  deserves  to 
be  placed  in  the  front  rank  of  the  sheep-raising  and  wool- 
growing  States  of  the  Union. 

Climate. — Our  climate,  though  much  milder  than  that  of  the 
New  England  and  Middle  States,  is  yet  sufficiently  severe  to 
cause  the  consumption  of  food  enough  to  produce  an  extremely 


104 


RESOURCES   OF   WEST   VIRGINIA. 


heavy  fleece.  The  fleeces  of  thoroughbred  American  Merino 
ewes,  properly  summered  and  wintered,  and  cared  for  gener 
ally,  range  from  10  to  18  pounds,  while  buck-fleeces  weigh  from 
15  to  25  pounds.  With  the  extra  amount  of  feed  and  atten 
tion  given  in  the  Eastern  States,  these  weights  could,  without 
doubt,  be  considerably  increased. 

Our  winter  weather  usually  begins  in  the  last  week  of 
November,  and  continues  until  about  the  first  of  April.  [For 
the  temperature  during  this  period  see  Climatology.  Authors.]* 
The  winter  temperature  is  quite  variable.  In  our  present 
winter,  1875.  the  mercury  has  not  reached  the  zero  point. 
The  coldest  weather  has  been  5°  to  6°  above  zero  Fahr.  This, 
however,  is  by  no  means  common,  for  the  present  winter  has 
been  exceptionally  mild.  This  comparative  mildness  of  the 
weather,  as  might  be  supposed,  renders  our  feeding  period 
shorter.  For  the  purpose  of  showing  the  relative  lengths  of 
the  feeding  periods  in  the  principal  wool-growing  States,  we 
append  the  following  tabular  statement,  for  which  we  are 
indebted  to  the  agricultural  report  before  referred  to. 

While  our  climate  is  thus  shown  to  be  comparatively  mild, 
it  is  very  salubrious,  and  highly  favorable  for  the  maintain- 
ance  of  the  general  health  of  the  flocks. 

No  such  thing  as  scab  and  the  other  malarial  diseases,  so 
common  and  destructive  in  other  States,  are  known  to  the 
sheep  breeders  of  AVest  Virginia. 

LENGTH  OF  THE  FEEDING  PERIOD  FOB  SHEEP. 


STATES. 


Number    of    months 
of    full    feeding. 


Number    of    months 
of  partial  feeding.  *• 


Maine  

6 

New   Hampshire  

6 

Vermont                    ** 

(> 

Xew  York 

o.1, 

New  Jersey 

6.', 

Pennsylvania 

5 

Delaware 

4J 

Maryland 

5-5- 

Virginia 

4° 

Ohio                         

4  A 

West  Virginia  

4 

; 

1] 

2 

•  • 
• 

2 
2 
2 
2 
2 


Surface  of  the  Country. — The  character  of  the  general  surface 
of  the  country,  is  another  advantage,  not  to  be  overlooked,  in 


RESOURCES   OF   WEST    VIRGINIA.  105 

reckoning  the  facilities  of  our  State  for  sheep  raising.  The 
disposition  of  the  sheep  to  climb  to  the  top  of  the  highest 
hills,  points  plainly  to  the  fact  that  their  nature  requires  a 
a  high  and  rolling  country.  An  elevated  table-land  would 
render  the  climate  too  cold,  and  the  winters  too  long.  This 
difficulty  is  obviated  by  having  the  surface  diversified  by  hills 
and  valleys,  and  such  we  find  to  be  pre-eminently  the 
character  of  West  Virginia.  (See  topography. — Authors).  In 
our  deep  valleys,  watered  by  cool,  pure,  never-failing  streams, 
in  the  smooth  slopes  of  the  hills,  covered  with  luxuriant  and 
succulent  grass,  and  in  the  lofty  rounded  crests,  or  table-lands 
that  crown  the  summits,  the  shepherd  has  an  assemblage  of 
all  the  good  things  that  nature  can  provide  for  him. 

The  peculiar  topography  of  our  State,  furnishes  in  the 
the  warm  months  of  the  year,  a  high  and  dry  range  for  the 
flocks,  and  enables  the  shepherd  to  find  in  the  same  pastures, 
sheltered  valleys  and  nooks  which  afford  an  abundance  of 
pure  water,  while  they  are  protected  from  the  violence  of 
storms  and  winds.  So  ample,  indeed,  is  the  protection  pro 
vided  by  nature,  that  many  do  not  think  it  necessary  to 
house  their  sheep  at  all.  It  is  no  uncommon  thing  to  see 
sheep  fed  out  in  the  open  field,  the  entire  winter,  and  though 
the  practice  is  not  to  be  recommended,  yet  those  who  have 
adopted  it,  appear  in  most  cases  to  have  realized  a  fair  profit 
upon  their,  flocks. 

The  hilly  and  diversified  character  of  the  surface,  prevents 
the  occurrence  of  tornadoes,  and  such  things  as  "  sand  storms/' 
elsewhere  so  injurious  to  the  wool,  are  unknown. 

FACILITIES  FOK  EXPORTING  WOOL. 

Having  shown  that  our  State  is  so  well  adapted  to  the  rais 
ing  of  sheep,  and  the  production  <  f  wool,  the  question  nat 
urally  arises,  what  are  the  markets  for  these  products,  and 
what  are  our  facilities  for  transportation? 

The  demand  for  our  sheep  is  principally  from  the  south, 
and  west.  Those  who  live  north  and  east  of  us,  generally  go 
to  the  New  England  States  for  their  stock,  and  this  confines 
our  market  for  stock  sheep,  principally  to  the  Southern 
and  Western  States,  and  the  Western  Territories.  We  say 
stock  sheep,  for  the  demand  for  mutton  sheep  is  in  the  east, 

chiefly  Baltimore,  New   York,  Pittsburgh,  and  Philadelphia. 
14 


106  RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA. 

For  the  transportation  of  stock  sheep  to  the  south  and 
west,  we  have  availahle,  the  Ohio  river  and  several  railroads, 
which  furnish  all  the  facilities  necessary,  to  render  such 
transportation  both  cheap  and  convenient. 

The  demand  for  West  Virginia  wool,  however,  lies  in 
another  direction.  The  great  manufacturing  section  of  the 
United  States  is  in  the  east,  mainly  in  the  New  England 
States.  It  is  to  this  market,  that  our  wool  in  the  form  of 
raw  material  must  be  sent.  As  we  have  already  stated  the 
market  for  our  mutton  is  also  in  the  east. 

The  means  of  transportation  in  the  northern  part  of  the 
State,  is  ample  on  the  two  great  competing  lines  of  railroad, 
the  Baltimore  and  Ohio,  and  the  Pennsylvania  Central.  In 
the  central  and  southern  parts,  we  have  the  Baltimore  and 
Ohio  with  its  branches,  and  the  Chesapeake  and  Ohio.  The 
competition  existing  between  these  great  routes,  bring  the 
the  charges  down  to  the  lowest  figures,  while  the  appliances 
and  facilities  of  the  companies,  owning  and  operating 
them,  afford  ample  conveniences  to  the  citizens  of  every 
section. 

In  addition  to  these,  another  great  thoroughfare  is  now 
under  course  of  construction.  This  is  under  the  management 
of  the  "  People's  Cheap  Transportation  Company,1'  of  New 
York  City.  It  is  to  extend  from  New  York  to  Washington, 
Pa.,  and  thence  to  the  Ohio  river,  crossing  it  at  Wellsburgrthe 
county  seat  of  Brooke.  From  this  point  it  is  to  extend  to  St. 
Louis,  Mo.,  and  will  there  form  connection  with  the  roads 
running  westward  to  the  Pacific.  This  road,  when  completed, 
will  give  us  more  direct  communication,  both  with  the  East 
and  West. 

FACILITIES   FOR   MANUFACTURING    WOOLEN    GOODS. 

The  discussion  of  the  facilities  for  transporting  our  wool  to 
the  points  where  it  can  be  manufactured,  naturally  suggests 
the  question  whether  it  could  not  be  worked  up  to  advantage 
at  home,  and  thus  enable  us  to  save  the  cost  of  the  trans 
port  of  the  raw  material,  and  the  manufactured  woolen 
goons,  which  we  now  import  from  the  East. 

The  only  essentials  required  for  the  establishment  of  man 
ufactories,  are  a  sufficient  supply  of  raw  material,  water,  and 
coal.  The  question  of  a  supply  of  skilled  labor  does  not  enter 


RESOURCES   OF   WEST   VIRGINIA.  107 

into  the  problem,  for  whenever  there  is  a  demand  for  it, 
there  is  an  ample  supply.  Manufacturing  has  been  found  to 
pay  in  New  England,  and  there  are  many  reasons  why  it 
should  be  still  more  remunerative  with  us.  Our  fertile  soil 
produces  such  an  abundance  and  variety  of  the  necessaries  of 
life,  that  we  can  live  much  more  cheaply  than  the  people  of 
the  East,  and  can  in  consequence  of  this,  pay  higher  prices  to 
our  workmen.  Since  the  laborers  could  also  live  more  cheaply, 
the  advantage  would  be  twofold.  There  could  then  be  no 
doubt  about  our  ability  to  secure  a  sufficient  number  of  skilled 
workmen,  to  enable  us  to  compete  with  eastern  manufac 
turers. 

The  water  and  fuel  which  enables  us  to  work  our  numerous 
rolling  mills,  furnaces,  and  nail  factories,  would  be  amply  suf 
ficient  for  the  wants  of  woolen  manufactories. 

We  have  quite  a  number  of  establishments  for  the  prepara 
tion  and  manufacture  of  iron  scattered  along  the  Ohio  river. 
These  have  proven  themselves  both  profitable  to  their  owners, 
and  efficient  in  the  work  in  which  they  are  engaged.  Again, 
the  manufacturer  here  can  procure  his  raw  material  in  the 
immediate  vicinity  of  the  factory,  without  the  payment  of  a 
cent  for  transportion. 

This  would  enable  him  to  pay  his  workmen  higher  wages, 
and  at  the  same  time  deliver  his  goods  directly,  and  several  per 
cent  cheaper  to  the  consumer  than  they  could  be  obtained  from 
the  factories  of  eastern  States.  In  addition  to  this,  we  would 
have  the  same  facilities  for  the  transport  of  our  manufactured 
goods  that  we  now  enjoy  for  the  transport  of  raw  material  and 
stock. 

Taking  all  these  things  into  consideration,  we  may  assert 
with  confidence,  that  in  the  manufacture  of  woolen  goods  we 
need  have  no  fear  of  entering  into  competition  with  eastern 
factories. 

Cheapness  of  Labor. — The  cultivation  of  crops,  the  building 
and  repairing  of  fences,  and  the  care  of  sheep,  particularly 
during  the  winter  months,  require  more  labor  than  the  farmer 
and  sheep-raiser  can  himself  perform,  and  more  time  than  he 
can  bestow.  This  renders  the  question  of  hired  labor  one  of 
unusual  importance  to  those  who  contemplate  engaging  in 
sheep  breeding  and  wool-raising. 


108  RESOURCES   OF   WEST   VIRGINIA. 

No  person,  however,  need  hesitate  to  engage  in  such  employ 
ments  in  West  Virginia  through  fear  of  failure  to  secure  all 
the  assistance  that  he  may  need.  There  are  here  in  our  State 
many  persons,  both  married  and  unmarried,  who  rely  entire 
ly  upon  iV.vtn  labor  for  their  employment.  This,  from  the 
competition  ,;  >mled,  and  the  original  cheapness  of  labor, 
enables  the  farmer  to  secure  assistance  at  prices  that  are  ex 
tremely  favorable  for  his  calling. 

The  services  of  good  fnrm  hands  can  be  secured  for  prices 
ranging  from  $12  to  $16  -^  T  month. 

•Farm  hands  that  have  families  generally  expect,  in  addition 
to  their  monthly  pay.  to  be  boarded  while  they  are  actually 
employed,  and  to  bo  furnished  with  a  house,  garden,  and  pas 
ture  for  a  cow,  free  of  charges  for  rent.  Those  who  have  no 
families  expect  to  be  boarded  only,  and  both  classes  expect  pay 
only  for  the  time  they  are  actually  at  work.  These  terms  ap 
ply  only  to  those  hands  that  are  employed  for  a  year  or  longer. 
Many  can  be  employed  to  feed  stock  during  the  winter  months 
at  much  lower  rates  and  upon  much  more  favorable  terms. 
With  respect  to  farm  labor  also,  then,  the  cost  is  much  less 
than  in  many  sections  where  sheep  raising  and  wool  produc 
tion  have  proved  very  profitable. 

During  almost  the  entire  period  since  the  first  introduction 
of  Merino  sheep  into  the  United  States,  by  Jarvis,  Humphrey, 
Atwood,  and  others,  the  citizens  of  West  Virginia  have  been 
to  a  greater  or  less  extent,  employed  in  breeding  Merino  sheep 
and  raising  merino  wool.  The  experience  of  these  breeders 
extends  through  a  period  of  more  than  half  a  century.  The 
business  has  employed  the  talents  and  energy  of  some  of  the 
first  men  of  their  day.  The  result  has  been  to  render  this  one 
of  the  leading  sheep-breeding  sections  of  the  Union. 

The  business  continues  to  expand,  and  is  continually  taking 
in  new  territory  and  employing  new  men.  As  the  breeders 
increase  in  number,  and  become  more  careful  in  the  treatment 
of  their  flocks,  new  evidence  is  presented  of  the  fact,  that  a«  a 
successful  sheep-raising  and  wool-producing  State,  West  Vir 
ginia  cannot  be  surpassed.  We  may  regard  the  matter  as 
thoroughly  tested. 

The  grade  of  our  flocks,  the  quantity  and  quality  of  their 
wool,  have  of  late  years  greatly  improved.  Our  breeders  are 


RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA.  109 

beginning  to  realize  the  fact  that  if  sheep  are  profitable  at  all, 
those  are  most  so  that  yield  the  greatest  number  of  pounds  of 
wnol  of  the  required  degree  of  fineness.  This  has  induced 
sheep  breeders  to  exercise  more  care  in  the  selection  of  stock 
rams,  and  to  breed  with  special  reference  both  to  quantity  and 
quality.  The  more  wealthy  and  enterprising  stock  owners 
are,  for  this  purpose,  led  to  get  their  stock  rams  directly  from 
Vermont.  Here,  by  a  long  course  of  careful  and  systematic 
breeding,  and  by  the  continued  crossing  of  sheep  of  the  pure 
Spanish  blood,  the  Merino  has  been  brought  to  a  state  of  per 
fection,  higher  than  any  where  else  in  the  world.  Some  of 
our  leading  breeders  have  recently,  also,  imported  considerable 
flocks  of  pure  bred  Merino  ewes  from  Vermont. 

The  result  of  the  increased  care  in  breeding,  is  that  the 
character  of  the  sheep  generally  in  the  State,  has  been  eleva 
ted  with  a  decided  improvement  in  the  quality,  and  increase 
in  the  quantity,  of  their  wool.  Besides,  we  have  to  day  flocks 
of  pure  Merino  ewes,  which,  in  their  forms  and  fleeces, 
rival  the  finest  products  of  Vermont. 

We  have  thus  far  spoken  only  of  the  American  Merino. 
The  French  and  German  varieties,  are  to  be  found  in  our 
State,  but  the  demand  for  them  is  comparatively  small,  and 
they  appear  to  be  gradually  giving  way  to  the  American 
Merino,  which  is  considered  to  be  a  hardier  and  more  profitable 
animal.  In  addition  to  the  several  classes  named  above,  we 
have  several  varieties  of  the  English  mutton  sheep,  such  as 
the  Southdowns,  the  Cottswold,  the  Leicesters,  and  others 
These  appear  to  do  well  here,  but  the  demand  for  them, 
though  increasing,  is  yet  small.  The  long  period  during 
which  our  breeders  have  been  engaged  in  raising  fine  sheep 
and  wool,  the  great  care  which  they  have  exercised,  and  the 
steady  improvement  that  has  resulted,  have  all  combined  to 
give  us  an  established  reputation  in  the  business. 

Not  only  do  the  inhabitants  of  the  adjoining  States  get  a 
considerable  per  centage  of  their  stock  sheep  from  our  flocks, 
but  there  is  a  brisk,  and  increasing  demand,  from  the  South 
ern  and  Western  States,  and  the  Territories.  So  important 
has  this  demand  become,  that  of  late,  many  of  our  farmers 
find  it  to  be  a  very  profitable  employment,  to  breed  for  the 
special  purpose  of  supplying  it.  The  demand  for  West 


110  RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA. 

Virginia  wool  is  not  less  active.  The  South  and  West  have 
always  been  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits,  and  hence  can 
not  be  consumers,  but  are  rather  producers  of  wool.  Those 
countries  that  have  a  poor  soil,  but  an  abundance  of  water 
power  and  fuel,  naturally  turn  their  attention  to  manufactur 
ing;  to  these  the  surplus  products  of  producing  States  must 
go  first,  to  be  worked  up.  When,  however,  capacity  for  pro 
duction,  and  all  the  requisites  for  manufacturing,  are  com 
bined  in  the  same  State,  the  manufactories  must  prove 
to  the  producing  centers.  At  present  then,  we  must  find 
the  markets  for  our  wools,  only  in  the  East,  but  in  the  near 
future,  we  may,  with  confidence,  expect  to  find  in  our  own 
mills  and  factories,  purchasers  of  our  products. 

As  to  the  standing  of  West  Virginia  wool,  we  may,  with 
truth,  state  that,  in  freedom  from  dirt,  length  of  staple,  fine 
ness,  firmness,  and  strength  of  fibre,  and  in  its  felting  proper 
ties,  our  wool  is  unsurpassed.  None  meets  with  readier  sale, 
or  commands  higher  prices  than  that  furnished  by  our  flocks. 

Yours  truly, 
March  1876.  C.  H.  BEALL. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

FOREST  TREES,  SHRUBS,  AND  MEDICINAL 

PLANTS. 

BY    WM.    M.    FONTAINE. 

Ash  (Fraxinus). — The  genus  Fraxinus,  or  Ash,  is  composed 
of  deciduous  trees,  which  are  natives  of  Europe,  Northern 
Africa,  a  part  of  Asia,  and  of  North  America.  They  are  raised 
from  seeds,  or  by  grafting  on  the  Fraxinus  excelsior  (European 
Ash.)  These  trees  have  a  great  tendency  to  sport,  or  run  into 
varieties,  which  closely  resemble  each  other.  Hence  many,  or 
few  species,  may  be  made,  according  to  the  value  attached  to 
these  variations.  The  most  important  representative  of  this 
genus  in  America,  is  the  White  Ash  (F.  Americana). 

1.  The  White  Ash  (F.  Americana). — This  tree  is  quite  com 
mon  in  our  forests.  In  usefulness  in  the  arts,  it  is  surpassed 
by  no  tree  except  the  oak.  From  the  rapidity  of  its  growth, 
the  beauty  of  its  foliage,  and  the  valuable  qualities  of  its  tim 
ber,  it  is  one  of  the  most  interesting  of  American  trees.  In 
favorable  situations,  it  sometimes  attains  the  height  of  eighty 
feet,  with  a  trunk  three  feet  in  diameter,  and  is  often  undivided 
for  more  than  half  its  length.  It  grows  best  in  rich  or  moist 
ground,  near  the  edge  of  streams  or  swamps,  where  the  soil  is 
deep,  fertile,  and  intermingled  with  fragments  of  rocks.  It  is 
a  native  of  North  America,  from  Labrador  to  the  Caiolinas, 
and  is  particularly  abundant  when  the  climate  is  cool  and 
moist.  It  is  but  little  subject  to  accidents  and  the  attacks  of 
insects.  The  wood  of  the  White  Ash,  in  young,  thrifty  trees, 
is  very  white  from  the  bark  to  the  center,  but  in  large,  old 


112  RESOURCES   OF   WEST    VIRGINIA. 

trees,  the  heart  wood  is  of  a  reddish  tinge,  and  the  sap  wood 
white.  When  the  annual  layers  are  thick  and  coarse,  it  is 
exceedingly  tough  and  elastic,  and  may  be  applied  to  a  great 
variety  of  purposes. 

It  is  used  by  coach  and  wagon  makers  for  the  felloes  of 
wheels,  for  shafts,  and  for  the  frames  of  carriage  bodies,  and 
for  those  of  light  wagons.  It  is  used  very  generally  for  agri 
cultural  implements  and  domestic  wares,  especially  for  the 
handles  of  spades,  hoes,  scythes,  &c.  In  Canada,  and  the 
northern  part  of  the  United  States,  it  is  largely  used  for  hoops 
and  staves.  The  latter  are  esteemed  best  for  casks  containing 
salted  provisions  and  flour.  For  the  blocks  of  pullies,  pins  for 
belaying  cordage  on  ships,  it  is  the  best  material.  It  is  in 
universal  use  for  oars  in  all  navies.  This  wood  is  largely 
exported  to  Europe  in  the  form  of  planks.  The  inner  bark  of 
the  tree  imparts  a  very  permanent  yellow  to  skins,  and  may 
be  used  in  dyeing  wool. 

The  wood  is  not  liable  to  shrink  and  swell,  when  once  it  has 
been  thoroughly  seasoned.  It,  hence,  makes  the  most  beauti 
ful  floors  of  all  our  timber.  Ash  lumber  always  commands  a 
ready  sale  at  high  prices. 

2.  Ash,  Black,  Water,  or  Hoop  (F.  Sambucifolia). — This  tree, 
in  favorable  locations,  frequently  attains  the  height  of  seventy 
or  eighty  feet,  and  a  diameter  of  two,  to  two  and  a  half  feet. 
The  leaves,  when  bruised,  smell  like  those  of  the  elder.  This 
tree  is  among  the  last  to  put  forth  its  leaves  in  spring,  and  the 
first  to  lose  them  in  autumn.  The  leaves  are  killed  by  the 
first  hard  frost,  and  in  the  North  of  the  United  States,  are  fre.-. 
quently  all  off  by  the  20th  of  September.  It  is  generally 
found  in  a  moist  soil,  or  one  exposed  to  inundations.  In  the 
Middle  States,  this  tree  associates  with  the  Red  Ash,  a  tree 
rare  west  of  the  Alleglianies,  and  with  the  Red  Maple.  The 
wood  is  tougher,  and  more  elastic,  than  that  of  the  White  Ash, 
but  is  less  durable  when  exposed  to  changes  from  moisture  to 
dryness,  and  vice  versa.  Hence,  it  is  less  used.  Like  the  Euro 
pean  Ash,  its  timber  is  more  valuable  when  grown  rapidly, 
and  the  wood  of  young  trees  is  more  esteemed  than  that  of  old 
ones.  The  sap  wood  of  this  variety  is  very  white,  tough,  and 
compact.  It  is  sometimes  made  into  posts,  which  rank  next 
to  the  cedar  in  durability.  In  Nova  Scotia  and  the  Northern 


RESOURCES    OF   WEST   VIRGINIA. 


113 


States,  it  is  preferred  to  the  White  Ash  for  hoops.  The  annual 
layers,  by  repeated  blows,  tends  to  separate  into  long  strips, 
and  hence  the  wood  is  not  used  for  oars,  handspikes,  £c.  This 
property,  however,  fits  it  for  the  manufacture  of  baskets,  chair 
bottoms.  &c.  The  ashes  of  this  species,  like  those  of  most  ash, 
are  very  rich  in  potash. 

3.  Ash,  Blue, — (F.  quadrangulata). — This  variety,  in  favor 
able  situations,  attains  often  the  height  of  sixty  or  seventy 
feet,  with  a  diameter  of  fifteen  or  twenty  inches.     The  shoots 
are  quadrangular,  and  have  four  membranes  placed  opposite 
each  other.     The  Blue   Ash  is   mainly   found  in   Tennessee, 
Kentucky,  and  the  Southern  part  of  Ohio,  where  the  climate 
is  mild,  and  the  soil  fertile   in  an  extreme  degree.     This  fer 
tility  seems  to  serve  as  a  substitute  for  that  degree  of  mois 
ture,  which  in  the  Atlantic  States,  seems  necessary  for  the 
growth  of  the  Ash.     Hence   it  may  grow  well  in  dry  woods, 
provided  they  be  rich  enough.     The  wood  of  this  tree  posesses 
the  characteristic  properties  of  the  genus,  and  in  the  Western 
States  is  extensively  employed,  and  highly  valued.      Beside 
the  other  uses,  the  wood  is  selected  for  the  flooring  of  houses, 
and  for  their  exterior  covering.     Where  the  Tulip  tree  does 
not   abound,   it   sometimes    serves   for   shingles.      (Browne). 
It  is  said  that  a  blue  color  may   be  extracted  from  the  bark 
of  this  tree,  which   circumstance  may  have  caused  its  com 
mon  name. 

4.  Ash,  Green, — (F.  viridis). — This  tree,  sometimes  called  the 
Walnut-leaved  Ash,  in  its  natural  habitat,  usually  attains  a 
height  of  25  to  30  feet,  with  a  trunk  4  or  5  inches  in  diame 
ter.     It  is  easily  recognized  by  the  brilliant  green,  color  of  its 
young  leaves,  which  are  nearly   of  the  same  color  on  both 
surfaces. 

This  variety  is  native  of  wet,  shady  woods,  from  Canada 
to  the  Carolinas,  but  is  more  common  in  the  western  part  of 
Pennsylvania,  Maryland,  and  in  West  Virginia,  than  in  any 
other  sections  of  the  United  States.  It  is  found  in  abundance 
on  the  banks  of  the  Monongahela  and  Ohio.  Its  wood  has  the 
same  character  with  the  other  species  of  genus,  and  is  applied 
to  the  same  purposes.  As,  however,  the  White  Ash  is  more 
common  where  it  grows,  and  is  of  superior  size,  the  Green 
Ash  is  only  incidentally  employed. 
15 


114  RESOURCES   OF   WEST   VIRGINIA. 

5.  A#h,  Mountain-- (Pyrus  Americana). — This  tree,  though  by 
its  common  name,  placed  among  the  Ash  trees,  is  really  found 
in  a  quite  different  genus.     It  belongs  to  the  same  family  with 
the  Pear,  Apple,  &c.     It  has  an  erect  stem,  and  sometimes 
grows  to  the  height  of  20  or  30  feet,  with  a  diameter  of  a  foot 
or  more.     The  varieties  are  several  in  number,  of  which  the 
P.  A.  Microcarpa,  or  small  fruited  Mountain  Ash  is  indige 
nous,  especially  in  the  whole  range  ol   the  Alleghanies.     It 
may  be  propagated  from  seeds,  or  by  grafting.     The  Mountain 
Ash  will  grow  in  any  soil,  and  in  the  most  exposed  situations, 
whether  on  the  seashore,  or  011  mountain  tops.     It  attains  its 
largest  size  in  a  free  soil,  with  a  moist  climate,  and  in  an 
open  dry  situation.     Few  trees  suffer  more  than  this  from  ex 
treme  heat  and  dry  weather. 

The  wood  of  this  tree,  when  dry,  weighs  51  pounds  to  the 
cubic  foot.  It  is  fine  grained,  hard,  homogeneous,  and  capable 
of  taking  a  high  polish.  In  Europe  it  is  much  used  in  the 
small  manufactures,  such  as  the  handles  of  knives,  &c.,  and 
in  various  articles  of  turnery.  When  large  enough,  it  is  also 
used  for  axle-trees,  naves,  felloes,  &e.  In  some  parts  of 
Europe  the  berries  are  also  used  as  a  fruit,  and  even  ground 
into  flour.  This  tree  is  well  adapted  as  an  ornamental 
tree. 

6.  Aspen,  or  Poplar,— (Populus  tremuloides). — This  tree   is 
common  in  our  woods.     It  attains  the  height  of  20  to  50  feet. 
As  it  has  no  particular  value  as  a  timber  tree,  we  need  not 
dwell  upon  it. 

7.  The  Beech, — (Fagus  fermginea). — This  tree  is  quite  com 
mon,  and  attains  the  diameter  of  from  2  to  3  feet.     It  is  found 
commonly  along  streams,  or  on  the  hill  sides  near  streams.     It 
makes  a  handsome  tree  with  wide-spread,  compact  foliage,  and 
a  trunk  which  dissolves  into  very  numerous  branches. 

When  seasoned,  the  wood  is  extremely  hard  and  solid.  It  is 
used  for  plane  stocks,  shoe-lasts,  and  the  handles  of  tools.  "But 
little  of  it  is  converted  into  lumber,  and  it  is  mainly  used  for 
fuel, 

8.  Beech,  Water, — (Carpinus  Americana). — This  tree  is  not 
uncommon  along  streams  and  in  moist  places.   Though  belong 
ing  to  a  different  family  from  the  Beech,  from  its  straight 
veined  leaves,  and    smooth  grey  bark,  it  lias  a   considerable 


RESOURCES   OF   WEST    VIRGINIA.  115 

resemblance  to  that  tree  and  hence  the  common  name.  It 
forms  a  shrub  or  tree  from  15  to  30  feet  high.  Its  wood  is  very 
hard,  and  from  this  property  the  tree  in  some  sections  is  called 
"  Ironwood,"  The  wood  is  speckled,  or  somewhat  curled,  and 
would  seem  fitted  for  some  kinds  of  furniture. 

9.  Birch,  Black, — (Betula  lenta). — This  is  rather  a  large  tree, 
growing  along  the  Alleghany  region.    It  prefers  moist  places, 
and  has  on  the  trunk  a  dark  brown,  close  bark,  with  a  sweet 
aromatic  odor.     The  timber  is  rose  colored,  fine  grained,  and 
valuable  for  cabinet  work. 

10.  Birch,  Red, — (Betula  nigra). — This  is  rather  a  large  tree, 
growing  on  low  river  banks,  rather  abundantly  in  some  locali 
ties.     Its  wood  is  light  colored,   and  is  not  much  appreciated 
for  timber. 

11.  Buckeye,  Sweet, — (Aesculus  ilava). — -This  tree,  which  must 
not  be  confounded  with  the  Ae  glabra.  or  Fetid  Buckeye,  un 
like  the  latter,  grows  in  rich  woods,  and  in  mountains  and 
knobby  districts,  where  it  attains  the  height  of  50  or  60Jfeet, 
and  is  2  or  3  feet  in  diameter.     The  wood  is   light,  soft,  and 
porous,  not  inclined  to  split  or  crack   in  drying.     It  is  valu 
able  for  making  troughs,  bread-trays,  wooden  bowls,  shuttles. 
&c. 

12.  Buckeye,    Fetid, — (Aesculus   glabra). — This   is   the  most 
common  species  of  Buckeye  found  in  the  State.    It  grows  only 
in  the  vicinity  of  streams,  and  forms  a  large  tree  occasionally. 
Itjhas  no  particular  value. 

13.  Cedar, — (Juniperus  Virginiana). —  This  valuable  plant, 
which  in  the  east  grows  only  to  a  small  size,  in  West  Vir 
ginia  attain  the  height  of  60  to  90  feet,  and  a  diameter  of  2  or 
3  feet.     It  endures  in  its  growth,   a  considerable  variation  of 
soil  and  situation.     It  is  found  both  on  high  hills  and  along 
streams.     This  tree  is  considered  to  furnish  one  of  the  most 
valuable  of  all'  woods.     The  wood  is  compact,   fine  grained, 
light,  and  exceedingly  durable.     The  heart,  which  furnishes 
the  timber,  has  a  strong  red  color,  and  is  peculiar  for  its  strong 
pleasant  odor.     This  is   so   greatly  disliked   by  moths,    that 
chests  made  of  it  are  proof  against  them.     It  is  capable  of  a 
high    polish,  and  is  more   highly  esteemed  than  any  other 
wood   in   the    manufacture   of  hollow    wooden-ware.      Great 
quantities  of  this  timber  is  manufactured  annually  into  buck- 


116  RESOURCES   OF   WEST   VIRGINIA. 

ets,  tubs,  &c.,  <fec.  For  fence  posts,  &c.,  it  is  peculiarly  fitted 
from  its  great  durability,  lasting,  as  does,  for  generations. 
The  timber  meets  with  a  ready  sale  at  remunerative  prices. 

14.  Cherry,  Wild, — (Primus  Serotina). — This  is  one  of  our  most 
valuable  timber  trees.  In  the  Eastern  States  it  is  very  com 
mon  as  a  shrub,  or  small  tree.  With  us,  it  often  attains  the 
height  of  sixty  to  seventy  feet,  before  dividing  into  limbs,  and 
often  measures  three  and  a  half  to  four  feet  across  the  stump. 
It  permits  a  considerable  range  of  situation,  growing  botli  on 
streams  and  hills,  but  delights  in  a  rich,  well  drained  soil. 

The  wood  is  light  red,  compact,  and  fine  grained,  and  takes 
a  polish  as  fine  as  that  of  mahogany  or  rosewood.  With  age 
and  proper  treatment,  it  will  compare  in  polish  and  beauty, 
with  any  wood.  The  wood  is  almost  entirely  used  for  cabinet 
work.  There  are  large  quantities  of  this  valuable  timber  in 
the  State,  The  tree  grows  everywhere,  but  the  largest  num. 
ber,  and  the  finest  for  timber,  are  perhaps  to  be  found  near  the 
headwaters  of  the  Elk,  Gauley,  Greenbrier,  and  Cheat  rivers, 
in  the  counties  of  Randolph,  Pocahontas,  Braxton,  and  Web 
ster.  It  grows  usually  scattered  through  the  other  timber. 
Many  large  and  fine  trees,  four  feet  in  diameter,  are  found  on 
Cherry  and  Williams  rivers,  in  the  above  mentioned  district. 
Trees  here  may  be  found  long  enough  for  three  arid  four,  six 
teen  feet  cuts. 

15.  Chestnut, — (Castania  Vesca). — This  is  one  of  our  largest 
trees,  attaining  a  diameter  of  seven  feet.  It  grows  in  dry,  elevated 
ground,  in  every  part  of  the  State,  and  is  more  abundant  in 
and  near  the  mountains.  It  has  a  rapid  growth,  and  may  be 
renewed  from  the  seed  or  sprout,  in  fifteen  or  twenty  years,  "to 
a  size  sufficient  to  form  posts  and  rails. 

The  wood  resembles  the  Red  Oak  in  color,  being  a  shade 
lighter.  It  is  a  very  valuable  timber  on  account  of  its  dura 
bility.  In  the  form  of  shingles,  or  rails,  it  will  last  until 
washed  away  by  the  rains.  Chestnut  rails  have  been  known 
to  last  over  fifty  years.  When  put  in  the  ground,  it  is  not  so 
durable  as  Cedar  or  Locust.  The  wood  has  a  beautifully  lami 
nated  structure,  and  when  polished  or  varnished,  makes  hand 
some  furniture.  It  furnishes  a  very  valuable  edible  nut,  which 
is  sold  in  large  amounts,  and  affords  a  fine  mast  for  hogs.  A 
tree  thirty-three  feet  in  circumference  has  been  measured  in 
Kanawha  county, 


RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA.  117 

16.  Coffee  Tree,  Kentucky, — (Gymnocladus  Canadensis). — The 
Kentucky  Coffee  Tree  grows  to  a  considerable  height — some 
times  50  to  60  feet — with  a  straight  trunk,  having  a  diameter 
of  12  inches  to  2  feet,  and  is  often  destitute  of  branches  for 
more  than  30  feet. 

In  its  natural  habitat,  it  always  grows  in  the  richest  soils, 
and  thrives  best  in  sheltered  situations.  It  is  generally  prop 
agated  by  seeds,  but  may  be  raised  from  cuttings  of  the  roots. 

The  wood  is  of  a  rose  hue,  and  is  very  hard,  compact,  tough, 
and  strong.  These  properties  render  it  very  suitable  for  cabi 
net  work,  and  for  building.  It  has  but  little  sap  wood,  and 
hence  nearly  all  the  trunk  can  be  used.  The  pods,  preserved 
like  those  of  the  Tamarind,  are  said  to  be  wholesome,  and 
slightly  aperient.  The  seeds  were  used  by  the  early  settlers  of 
Kentucky  and  Tennessee,  as  a  substitute  for  coffee,  hence  the 
name. 

17.  Cotton  Wood, — (Populus  Heterophylla). — This  tree  is  not 
very  abundant  with  us.       It  attains  a  large  size  in  Tennessee, 
and   on   the   Mississippi    is    used  for  fire   wood.       It    prefers 
moist  ground  and  swamps,  attaining  the  height  of  40  to  60 
feet.     The  wood  is  white,  soft,  and  easy  to  cut  and  split. 

18.  Cucumber  Tree, — (Magnolia  Acuminata). — This  tree  is  not 
uncommon  in  the  State.    Its  trunk  is  straight,  of  uniform  size, 
and  often  destitute  of  branches  for  two-thirds  of  its  length. 
It  attains  the  height  of  60  to  80  feet,  with  a  diameter  of  three 
or  four  feet.     It  may  be  propagated  from  the  seeds,  or  by  layers. 
The  situations  best  adapted  for  it,  are  the  slopes  of  mountains, 
narrow  valleys,  or  the  banks  of  torrents,  where  the  air  is  always 
moist,  and  the  soil  deep  and  fertile. 

The  wood  of  this  species  is  soft  and  light,  weighing  when 
dry,  only  26  pounds  to  the  cubic  foot.  The  timber  may  be 
employed  in  joining,  for  the  interior  of  houses,  and  for  cabinet 
making.  From  its  size  and  lightness,  it  is  well  adapted  for 
hollowing  out  into  canoes.  The  half  ripe  cores,  steeped  in 
whisky,  renders  it  extremely  bitter,  and  it  is  then,  when  taken 
in  the  morning,  considered  as  a  preventative  of  autumnal 
fevers. 

19.  Dogwood, — (Cornus  Florida). — This  tree,  or  rather  shrub, 
js  found  everywhere  in  the  State.    In  its  natural  habitat,  under 
favorable  circumstances,  it  forms  a  tree  30  to  35  feet  high,  and 
9  to  10  inches  thick,  but  is  usually  only  half  this  size. 


1.18  RESOURCES    OF    WEST    VIRGINIA. 

The  Dogwood  thrives  best  in  a  gravelly  soil,  rich  in  vegetable 
matter  and  moisture.  It  may  be  propagated  by  seeds  or  cuttings- 

The  wood  of  this  plant  is  hard,  compact,  and  heavy.  Its 
fine  grain  renders  it  capable  of  a  high  polish,  arid  hence  it 
may  be  used  for  many  of  the  purposes  for  which  Logwood  is 
employed.  It  is  also  used  for  the  construction  of  the  handles 
of  light  tools,  mallets,  etc.:  as  well  as  for  the  names 'of  horse 
collars,  runners  of  sleds,  &c.  Being  liable  to  split,  it  should 
not  be  used  until  perfectly  seasoned.  The  wood  as  a  fuel  makes 
a  very  hot  fire,  and  gives  an  abundant  pure  white  ash. 

The  inner  bark  of  the  tree  is  extremely  bitter,  and  forms 
an  excellent  substitute  for  Peruvian  bark.  It  is  even  claimed 
by  some  physicians  that  the  Dogwood  equals  Peruvian  bark. 
The  bark  may  also  be  substituted  for  galls  in  the  manufac 
ture  of  ink.  From  the  bark  of  the  more  fibrous  roots  the  In 
dians  get  a  good  scarlet  dye.  A  Dogwood  18  inches  in  diame 
ter  is  reported  from  Braxton  county. 

20.  Elder,  Box, — (Negundoaceroides  [Mornch]). — This  plant, 
though  bearing  the   name  of  Box  Elder,  has  no  affinity  with 
the  true  Elders. 

Farther  south,  the  tree  attains  a  larger  size  than  with  us. 
In  Tennessee  it  attains  a  height  of  40  to  50  feet,  and  a  diame 
ter  of  15  to  20  inches.  It  is  most  abundant  in  the  bottoms 
which  skirt  the  river,  where  the  soil  is  deep,  fertile,  and  con 
stantly  moist.  With  us  it  is  not  confined  to  river  banks,  but 
grows  in  the  woods  with  the  Locust,  Wild  Cherry,  and  Coffee 
tree.  It  may  be  raised  from  the  seeds,  and  is  not  a  long-lived 
tree. 

The  wood  has  a  fine  even  grain,  and  is  saffron  colored*, 
slightly  mixed  with  violet.  Except  in  very  old  trees,  the 
proportion  of  sap  to  heart-wood  is  very  large.  In  America  the 
wood  is  used  only  for  fuel,  but  in  Europe  it  is  used  in  cabinet 
making,  especially  for  in  inlaying.  For  this,  the  heart  wood 
of  old  trees,  variagated  with  bluish  and  rose-colored  veins, 
affords  handsome  material. 

21.  Kim,  Red,  or  Slippery,— (Vlmus  fulva). — This  is  a  widely 
diffused,  but  not  very  abundant  tree.     In  the  Atlantic  slope, 
in  our  latitude,   it  is  usually  a  shrub,  but  with  us  it  attains 
the  dimentions  of  a  large  tree.     It  often  attains  the  height  of 
50  or  60  feet,  and  a  diameter  of  18  to  24  inches.     It  grows  on 


RESOURCES  OF   WEST   VIRGINIA.  119 

the  richest  lands  of  an  uneven  surface,  and  does  well  in  ele 
vated  open  situations. 

The  heart  wood  is  coarse  grained,  and  of  a  dull  red  tinge, 
whence  the  name.  It  is  less  compact,  but  more  durable  than 
that  of  the  White  Elm.  It  is  said  to.be  the  best  of  American 
woods  for  making  the  blocks  employed  in  the  rigging  of  ves 
sels.  It  makes  excellent  rails,  which  last  long,  and  the  wood 
is  easily  split.  The  bark  is  very  mucilaginous,  and  contains 
sugar,  gallic  acid,  and  supertartrate  of  potash.  Medically,  it 
is  said  to  be  alterative,  tonic,  and  diuretic,  and  is  employed 
for  the  cure  of  herpeti;:  and  leprous  eruptions.  The  leaves 
have  been  employed  as  food  for  the  larviu  of  the  silk  moth. 
The  bark,  small  branches  and  leaves,  macerated  in  water, 
give  an  abundant  mucilage,  used  as  a  drink  in  coughs  and 
rheums.  This  mucilage  may  be  used  instead  of  the  roots  of 
the  Marsh  Mallow  in  making  emollient  suppurative  cata 
plasms. 

22.  Elm,  White,  or  Rock,— (Ulmus  Americana). — This  is  our 
most  abundant  Elm.  Where  it  grows  surrounded  by  other 
trees  it  has  a  lofty  trunk,  very  clear  of  branches,  attaining 
the  height  of  80  to  100  feet,  and  a  diameter  of  from  4  to  6  feet. 
It  is  more  often  found  on  river  banks,  and  in  more  or  less  open 
ground.  Here  it  splits  up  into  a  great  profusion  of  branches 
close  to  the  ground. 

The  tree  may  be  propagated  by  suckers,  by  layers  and  by 
grafting.  It  delights  in  low  and  humid  situations,  such  as 
the  rich  bottoms  along  streams,  where  the  soil  is  deep  and 
fertile.  It  will  grow,  however,  in  any  soil  that  is  not  too  dry 
and  barren.  The  foliage  of  this  tree  is  the  food  of  several 
kinds  of  insects,  and  its  bark  is  pierced  by  others. 

The  wood  of  the  White  Elm  is  of  a,  dark  brown  color,  and 
liable  to  decay  when  exposed  to  the  alternations  of  dryness 
and  moisture.  It  may  be  used  for  piles,  foundations  for  mills, 
and  canal  locks,  and  other  structures  which  are  always  under 
water.  When  cut  transversely,  or  obliquely  to  the  fibers,  it 
shows  many  fine  undulations.  It  weighs,  when  perfectly  dry, 
only  33  Ibs.  to  the  cubic  foot.  The  bark,  which  is  easily  de 
tached  from  the  tree  during  8  months  of  the  year,  is  used  for 
making  bast  mats,  ropes,  and  the  bottoms  of  chairs.  The 


120  RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA. 

wood  when  burned  affords  a  largo  amount  of  ash,   which  is 
rich  in  potash. 

23.  Elm,  Wahoo,  or  Witch, — (Ulmus  alata). — This  is  a  small 
tree,  not  commonly  exceeding  80  feet  in  height,  and  9  or  10 
inches  in   diameter.     It  is  generally  found  on  the  banks  of 
rivers. 

The  wood  of  this  variety  is  fine  grained,  heavier,  more  com 
pact,  and  stronger,  than  that  of  the  White  Elm.  The  wood 
is  of  a  dull  chocolate  color,  and  is  always  in  large  proportion 
to  the  sap  wood,  In  some  parts  of  the  country  the  wood 
is  used  for  the  naves  of  coach  wheels,  as  it  is  tougher  and 
heavier  than  that  of  either  of  the  other  species. 

24.  Fir,  or  Spruee,  Black, — (Abies  Nigra). — This  tree  has  a 
variety  of  common  names,  being  called  in  different  sections, 
Black  Fir,  Black  Spruce,  and  Yew  Pine.     It  is  a  Fir.     The 
tree  is  quite  common  in   the  higher  and  colder  part  of  the 
State,  growing  on  the  banks  of  streams,  and  on  cold  mountain 
sides.      It  forms  a  handsome  tree,  some  60  to  70  feet  high,  and 
2  to  3  feet  in  diameter.      Since  it  grows  mainly  in  the  more 
inaccessible  parts  of  the  State,  not  much  use  has,  as  yet,  been 
made  of  the  timber. 

Great  numbers  of  this  tree  are  to  be  found  in  suitable  loca 
tions  all  through  the  Alleghanies,  the  foots  of  hills  near  them, 
and  the  deep,  well  shaded  hollows  of  the  higher  plateau  regions- 
In  the  region  of  country  around  the  headwaters  of  the  Gauley, 
Elk,  and  Cheat,  vast  numbers  of  this  tree  are  to  be  found.  For 
this  reason  the  district  in  question  is  called  by  the  natives 
the  "  Yew  Pine  Region,"  as  they  call  the  tree  by  this  name... 

According  to  Mr.  Cecil  Clay,  President  of  the  St.  Lawrence 
Boom  and  Manufacturing  Company,  this  tree  will  often  cut 
20,000  feet  per  acre,  in  this  part  of  the  country.  Dense  masses 
of  it  cover  the  mountains  here,  the  trees  growing  clear  and 
tall,  with  trunks  several  feet  in  diameter.  The  country  is  yet 
in  the  original  forest,  and  millions  of  feet  of  fine  fir  timber  can 
be  obtained. 

25.  Fir,  Southern  Balsam, — (Abeis  Fraseri). — This  tree  grows 
mainly  on  the  highest  points  of  the  Alleghanies,  and  is  more 
abundant  to  the  south  of  us  in  Tennessee.      From  its  inacces- 
sible  position,  it  is  not  used  for  timber.      It  is  chiefly  remark 
able  for  the  balsam  which  gathers  in  blisters  under  the  bark. 


RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA.  121 

and  is  used  for  medicinal  purposes.  It  is  found  in  the  high 
mountains  in  northern  Pocahontas,  and  in  Pendleton  and 
eastern  Randolph. 

26.  Gum,  Black,  or  Sour,— (Nyssa  Mulf  iflora).— This  tree,  called 
variously  Black  Gum,  Yellow  Gum,  or  Sour  Gum,  seldom  rises 
above  40  or  50  feet,  with  a  trunk  15  or  20  inches  in  diameter. 
It  permits  a  somewhat  wide  range  of  situation,  growing  in 
some  parts  of  the  country  on  dry  soil,  and  in  others  in  wet 
places.  In  West  Virginia  the  tree  grows  in  both  situations; 
in  Tennessee  it  grows  usually  on  rich,  moist  soils. 

It  may  be  propagated  by  seeds  and  by  cutting  or  layers. 
The  wood  holds  a  middle  rank  between  hard  and  soft  woods. 
In  trees  exceeding  15  inches  in  diameter,  frequently  more  than 
half  the  trunk  is  hollow.  The  fibres  of  most  trees  are  closely 
united,  and  usually  ascend  in  a  perpendicular  direction.  The 
Gum  is  peculiar  in  this  respect,  the  fibres  being  united  in 
bundles,  and  interwoven  like  a  braided  cord.  This  gives  it  its 
peculiar  toughness.  Where  it  abounds,  it  is  used  for  the  naves 
of  wheels  employed  for  carrying  heavy  burdens.  It  is  also 
used  for  the  shaft  heads  of  windmills,  and  for  wooden  bowls. 
As  fuel,  the  wood  burns  with  great  slowness. 

27.  Gum,  Sweet, — ( Liquid ambar  Styraciflua). — This  finds  its 
most  congenial  home  in  wet,  marshy  places. 

It  forms  a  handsome  and  large  tree.  The  leaves,  when 
bruised,  have  a  pleasant  aromatic  odor. 

The  wood  is  fine  grained,  but  decays  rather  rapidly.  It  is 
difficult  to  split,  and  resists  fire  longer  than  any  of  our  tim 
bers.  It  is  occasionally  used  for  the  same  purposes  as  the  Black 
•Gum,  and  sawed  into  plank,  is  mainly  employed  in  coarse 
work.  It  is  compact,  and  is  said  to  admit  of  a  bright  polish. 
It  is  sometimes  used  in  cabinet  work,  and  makes  a  passable 
article  of  furniture. 

28.  Hemlock,  Spruce, — (Abies  Canadensis). — This  tree  is  much 
more  common  farther  North  than  with  us.      It  grows  on  rich 
mountains  and  table  lands.     It  forms  a  large  tree,  but  the  tim 
ber  is  comparatively  coarse  grained  and  poor.     The  bark  is 
useiul  for  tanning.     Dense  strips  of  large  Hemlock  grow  on 
the  headwaters  of  the  Gauley,  etc.,  rivers. 

29.  Hickory,—  (Carya)  •  -Three  species  of  this  valuable  tree  grow 
abundantly  with  us.     There  are  :  1st,  the  Scaly  Bark  Hickory, 

16 


122  RESOURCES   OF   WEST    VIRGINIA. 

carya  alba;  2d,  the  White  Hickory,  carya  tomentosa;  and  3rd,  the 
Red  Hickory  or  Pignut,  carya  porcina.  The  common  White 
Hickory  (C.  tornentosa),  grows  well  on  all  soils  of  medium 
quality.  It  rarely  attains  a  greater  diameter  than  18  inches, 
and  grows  by  preference  in  dry  woods.  The  wood  of  this  tree 
is  white  to  the  core,  hence  the  name.  It  is  tough,  and  some 
times  stringy,  very  elastic,  hard,  and  of  great  weight. 

When  small,  the  shrub  is  used  for  barrel  and  hogshead 
hoops,  and  for  casings,  and  for  wythes  for  various  purposes. 
It  is  exceedingly  tough,  and  strong,  but  easy  to  split.  The 
bark  is  useful  for  tying  up  grapevines,  as  it  may  be  easily 
stripped  off  in  spring,  and  kept  supple  under  water. 

The  tree  is  worked  up  into  axles  for  wagons,  spokes  and 
felloes  for  carriages,  and  for  axe  handles.  When  seasoned,  it 
makes  the  best  carpenters'  mallets,  and  the  most  useful  han 
dles  for  chisels.  However,  when  exposed  to  moisture,  it  is 
peculiarly  liable  to  decay,  and  is  also  very  subject  to  attacks 
from  worms.  Large  quanties  of  the  timber  are  worked  up  into 
chairs,  &c. 

The  Scaly  Bark  Hickory,  C.  alba,  is  a  much  larger  tree,  and 
splits  more  readily.  It  grows  80  to  100  feet  high,  and  2^  to  3 
feet  thick. 

The  Red  Hickory,  or  Pignut,  like  the  last,  prefers  a  rich  soil 
on  hillsides  or  river  bottoms. 

The  Bitter  Nut,  C.  amara,  sometimes  called  Pignut,  also,  is  a 
common  tree.  The  wood  is  less  valued  than  that  of  the 
others. 

Both  the  Scaly  Bark  Hickory,  and  the  Red  Hickory,  above 
mentioned,  are  not  rare,  and  have  timber  resembling  that  of 
the  Common  White  Hickory.  They  are  used  for  the  same 
purposes.  Hickory  makes  the  finest  of  all  fuels.  It  burns 
rapidly,  and  gives  out  an  intense  heat.  It  is  preferred  for 
curing  tobacco  and  bacon,  not  giving  so  strong  a  taste  of  creo 
sote.  The  ashes  of  the  Hickory  are  the  richest  of  all  in 
potash.  . 

30.  Holly, — (Ilex  Opaca). —  i'his  is  a  beautiful  evergreen  tree, 
growing  mainly  on  mountain  streams  in  gravelly  or  sandy 
soil.      Its  ordinary  height  in  favorable  situations,  is  under  30 
feet,  with  a  diaintsr  of  14  to  15  inches,  and  less.      The  wool 
is  wliifce,  cjmpict,  of  fine  grain,  and  capable  of  a   brilliant 


&ESOTJ&CES  OF  WEST  VIRGINIA.  123 

polish.  It  is  quite  heavy,  weighing,  when  dry,  about  47 
pounds  to  the  cubic  foot.  Its  principal  use  is  for  inlaying 
mahogany  furniture,  for  turning  into  small  boxes  for  drug 
gists,  and  for  small  screws.  When  perfectly  seasoned,  it  is 
very  hard  and  unyielding,  which  makes  it  fitted  for  the 
pulleys  used  in  ships.  It  takes  dye  of  various  colors  well, 
and  is  used  in  imitating  foreign  woods.  The  bark,  medici 
nally,  is  emetic  and  cathartic.  Fifteen  or  twenty  berries  will 
induce  vomiting,  and  act  as  a  purgative. 

3 1 .  •  Hackberry, — (Celtis  Occidentalis). — The  Hackberry,   or 
Celtis  Occidentalis,  var.  crassifolia,  is  a  common  tree  west  of  the 
Alleghanies.      It  sometimes  attains  a  height  of  80  feet,  with 
a  trunk  of  the  very  disproportionate  diameter  of  18  or  20 
inches. 

It  prefers  a  cool,  shady  situation,  and  a  deep,  fertile  soil,  or 
along  the  borders  of  rivers  and  among  other  trees.  Its  wood 
is  of  little  value,  from  its  weakness  and  liability  to  decay, 
when  exposed  to  alternations  of  wet  and  dry  conditions.  It 
is  compact,  and  fine  grained,  however,  though  not  heavy. 
Sawed  in  a  direction  parallel,  or  oblique  to  its  fibres,  it  shows 
the  fine  undulations  seen  in  the  Locust  and  Elm.  In  some 
parts  of  the  country,  the  timber  is  employed  in  roofs  for  the 
covering  which  supports  shingles.  As  it  is  elastic,  and  may 
be  easily  divided,  farmers  use  it  sometimes  for  the  bottoms 
of  chairs,  and  Indians  use  it  for  making  baskets.  Being 
straight  grained,  free  from  knots,  and  wrought  with  the 
greatest  ease,  it  is  sometimes  used  in  fencing. 

32.  Ironwood, — (Ostrya  Virginica). — This  tree  is  also  called 
Hop  Hornbeam,  or  Lever  Wood.     It  may  be  distinguished  by 
the  hop-like  appendages,   containing  small  nuts,  which  the 
tree  possesses.     It  forms 'a  small  tree,  with  brownish   fur 
rowed  bark,  and  leaves  like  those  of  the  Birch.     It  is  common 
in   rich   woods.      The  wood   is  extremely  hard   and   tough, 
which    properties    render    it    unequalled    for     handspikes, 
and  other   purposes   requiring   these   properties   in  a   high 
degree. 

33.  Locust,  Common, — (Robinia  Pseudacacia). — The  Common 
Locust,  in  favorable  situations,  attains  the  height  of  80  or  90 
feet,  and  sometimes  exceed  four  feet  in  diameter.     Ordinarily 
the  tree  does  not  exceed  half  these  dimensions.     It  abounds 


124  RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA. 

in  West  Virginia.  The  soil  in  which  it  grows  best  is  a  rather 
rich  sandy  loam,  and  to  attain  any  considerable  size,  it  must 
have  considerable  room,  &nd  an  airy  but  sheltered  position, 
free  from  the  fury  of  the  winds.  It  will  thrive  for  a  few 
years,  even  on  poor  shallow  soils,  but  soon  decays  at  the 
heart,  and  does  not  attain  any  size.  This  is  due  to  the  rapid 
extraction  from  the  soil,  of  all  its  nutriment  by  the  large 
roots,  which  run  near  the  surface.  The  only  trees  that  will 
make  timber  on  such  thin  soils,  are  those  of  the  Pine  family. 
The  simplest  and  best  mode  of  propogating  it,  is  by  the 
seeds. 

The  wood  of  the  Locust  is  of  a  greer.ish  yellow  color, 
marked  with  brown  veins.  It  is  v^ry  hard,  o,nd  compact,  and 
is  capable  of  a  very  high  polish.  It  has  great  strength,  with 
but  little  elasticity,  its  most  valuable  property  being  the 
resistance  to  decay  which  it  exhibits,  this  being  greater  than 
that  of  almost  any  other  wood.  When  newly  cut  it  weighs 
63  pounds  3  ounces  per  cubic  foot ;  half  dry,  56|  pounds,  or, 
according  to  others,  only  46.  M.  Hartig,  the  German  den- 
droiogist,  places  its  value  for  fuel,  when  compared  with  the 
Beech  (Fagus  sylvatica),  as  12  to  15.  For  duration,  he 
places  it  next  below  the  Oak  (Quercus  robur). 

There  are  at  least  three  popular  varieties  of  the  Common 
Locust,  distinguished  by  the  color  of  the  heart  wood.  These 
are  : 

1.  Red  Locust. — With  the  heart  red,  and  esteemed  as  by  far 
the  most  beautiful  and  valuable  timber.  Posts  of  this  variety, 
perfectly  seasoned   before,;  they   are  put    in    the  ground,  are 
estimated  to  last  40  years,  or  twice  as  long  as  those  of  the 
White  Locust. 

2.  Green  or  Yellow  Locust. — This  is'  the  most  common  variety, 
being  known  by  its  greenish  yellow  heart,  and  it  is  held  to 
be  next  to  the  red  Locust. 

3.  White  Locust. — This  has'a  white  heart,  and  is  considered 
the  least  valuable. 

All  the  above  mentioned  variations,  are  supposed  to  be 
caused  by  differences  of  soil  and  situation.  In  naval  archi 
tecture,  the  Locust  is  much  esteemed  by  American  ship 
wrights.  It  enters  into  the  upper  and  lower  parts  of  the 
frames  of  vessels.  In  civil  architecture  in  this,  country, 


RESOURCES   OF    WEST   VIRGINIA.  125 

owing  to  its  scarcity,  it  is  not  much  used.  It  is  more  partic 
ularly  applied  to  the  support  of  sills.  It  has  been  exten 
sively  used  in  cabinet  making,  ancrmany  small  wares.  The 
roots  of  the  Locust  are  very  sweet,  and  afford  an  extract 
which  may  be  substituted  for  licorice.  The  flowers  have 
been  employed  medicinally  as  an  anti-spasmodic. 

34.  Locust.  Honey,— (Gleditschia  triacanthos). — This  in  favor 
able  situations,  attains  a  height  of  70  or  80  feet,  with  a  trunk 
3  or  4  feet  in  diameter.     The  tree  generally  grows  in  associa 
tion  with  the  Black  Walnut,  Red  Elm,  Common  Locust,  etc. 
It  is  never  found  except  where  the   soil  is  good,  and  its  pres 
ence  is  a  sign  of  fertility. 

The  wood,  when  dry,  weighs  52  pounds  to  the  cubic  foot. 
It  is  very  hard,  and  splits  with  great  difficulty.  Its  grain  is 
coarse,  and  its  pores  more  open,  than  those  of  the  Common 
Locust.  It  is  of  very  little  u^e  for  timber,  and  can  be  only 
considered  as  an  ornamental  tree. 

35.  Linden,  or  Linn, — (Tilia    Americana). — This    tree  bears 
various  names,  being  called,  the  American  Lime  Tree,  Linden, 
or  Basswood.     In  size  it   is   one  of  the  finest  forest  trees.     It 
often    rises  more  than  80  feet   in  height,  and   is  frequently 
more  than  4  feet  in  diameter,  with  a  straight,  uniform  body. 
It  prefers  a  rich,  loose,  dark  soil,  on   the   borders  of  lakes  and 
rivers,  and  in  moist  bottoms,  which  are  little  subject  to  inun 
dation.     It  may  be  propogated  from  seeds,  by  cuttings,  and 
by  grafting. 

The  wood,  when  dry,  weighs  only  35  pounds  per  cubic  foot. 
.  When  seasoned,  it  is  of  a  light  brown  hue.  It  is  soft,  easily 
worked,  and  is  often  sawed  into  boards,  which  do  not  warp. 
In  some  places  it  is  used  for  the  panels  of  carriage  doors,  and 
the  seats  of  chair--.  It  is  frequently  turned  into  various 
utensihs,  and  carved  into  ornamental  work.  The  cellular 
integument,  maybe  separated  irom  the  epidermis,  and  formed 
into  ropes.  The  greatest  value  which  it  has,  is  for  making 
firkin  staves.  It  is  extremely  easy  to  decay,  and  hence  can 
not  be  used  in  building.  It  may  be  reduced  to  a  pulp,  and 
made  into  paper.  The  young  shoots  and  twigs  are  very  glu 
tinous,  and  afford  considerable  nutriment,  and  are  used  in 
some  sections,  as  food  for  cattle  in  winter  when  forage  is  scarce. 
36.  Maple,  Sugar, — ( Acer  saccharimum). — The  Sugar,or  Rock 


126  RESOURCES   OF    WEST  VIRGINIA. 

Maple,  as  it  is  sometimes  called,  is  one  of  our  most  valuable 
trees.  In  our  new  State  the  vast  numbers  of  the  trees  of  this 
species  affords  large  amounts  of  sugar,  which  yields  a  consid 
erable  revenue  to  the  inhabitants. 

In  favorable  situations  the  trees  sometimes  grow  to  the 
height  of  70  or  80  feet,  and  attain  the  diameter  of  2  to  4  feet. 
The  trunk  is  generally  straight,  though  often  studded  with 
wens  or  excrescences.  There  is  a  variety  of  this  tree  which 
in  some  respects  differs  from  the  common  Sugar  tree.  This  is 
called  the  Black  Sugar  Maple  (or  A.  S.  Var.  nigum).  The 
Ieave3  of  this  tree  are  of  a  darker  green,  thicker  texture,  and 
have  blunter  lobes  than  the  Rock  or  Sugar  Maple.  Both  trees 
grow  together,  and  are  alike  in  all  other  respects. 

The  natural  habitat  of  the  Sugar  Maple  is  the  steep  and 
shady  banks  of  rivers  which  rise  in  mountanous  regions,  and 
in  all  elevated  regions  where  the  soil  is  cold  and  humid,  free, 
deep,  and  fertile,  and  not  too  moist. 

The  wood  of  the  Sugar  Maple,  when  it  has  been  exposed  to 
the  light  for  some  time,  takes  on  a  rosy  tinge.  Its  grain  is 
fine  and  close,  and  when  polished  its  lustre  is  silky.  It  is 
very  strong  and  heavy,  but  is  not  durable  when  exposed  to- 
alternations  of  moisture  and  dryness.  The  northern  wood 
weighs,  when  dry,  46  Ibs.  per  cubic  foot,  and  is  heavier  than 
that  grown  south.  It  makes,  when  dry,  a  fuel  equal  to  the 
oak.  The  timber  requires  two  or  three  years  to  become  per 
fectly  seasoned.  It  may  then  be  used  for  axletrees,  spokes, 
mill-cogs,  chairs  and  cabinet  work.  The  wood  of  this  tree  ex 
hibits  several  accidental  forms  in  the  arrangement  of  its  fibre, 
which  are  utilized  in  making  beautiful  articles  of  cabinet 
work,  and  furniture,  such  as  bedsteads,  writing  desks,  inlay 
ing  mahogany  and  black- walnut  in  bureaus,  piano-fortes,  and 
for  veneering-slabs,  &c.  The  first  of  these  is  Curled,  Maple. 
The  undulations,  or  medullary  rays  of  this  variety,  like  those 
of  the  Red-flowered  Maple,  are  lustrous,  and  in  one  light  ap- 
appear  darker,  and  in  another,  lighter  than  the  rest  of  i)he 
wood.  Sometimes  the  zig-zag  lines  are  crossed  by  beautiful 
veins,  but  unfortunately  the  lustre  of  these  shades  disappears 
by  long  exposure  to  the  light  and  air- 

The  second  is  Bird's-Eye  Maple.  This  variety  exhibits  small, 
whitish  spots,  or  eyes,  not  over  one-tenth  of  an  inch  in  diame- 


RESOURCES   OF   WEST   VIRGINIA.  127 

ter,  sometimes  occurring  a  little  way  apart,  and  sometimes 
close  together.  The  more  numerous  these  spots  the  more  val 
uable  the  wood.  They  are  seen  only  in  old  trees,  which  are 
still  sound ;  and  seem  to  come  from  a  bending  of  the  fibres 
across  the  grain.  To  get  the  finest  effect,  the  wood  should  be 
sawed  as  near  as  possible  parallel  with  the  concentric  circles. 

In  addition  to  the  above  named  varieties,  two  other  kinds 
occur  in  the  Wens.  The  most  valuable  variety  is  called  Varie 
gated  Maple  Knot.  It  presents  an  assemblage  of  shades,  agree 
ably  disposed,  sometimes  like  Arabic  letters,  which  make  the 
wood  well  fitted  for  fancy  work,  and  from  its  scarcity  it  com 
mands  high  prices.  The  other  variety  is  called  Silver-White 
Maple  Knot.  This  shows  a  silvery  lustre  by  the  arrangement 
of  its  fibres,  and  though  more  common  than  the  other,  is 
highly  prized  and  used  for  the  same  purposes. 

The  ashes  of  the  Sugar  Maple  are  rich  in  alkalies,  and  it 
has  been  said  that  they  furnish  four-fifths  of  the  potash  ex 
ported  from  the  United  States  to  Europe.  In  the  Torges  of 
Maine,  New  Hampshire,  &c  where  this  tree  grows,  its  charcoal 
is  preferred  to  that  of  any  other  wood.  The  ripening  of  the 
leaves  in  fall  causes  them  to  take  on  the  most  beautiful  colors. 
In  the  mountain  counties  of  the  State  there  are  enormous  num 
bers  of  this  tree,  and  in  some  districts  it  forms  half  the  timber. 

37.  Maple,  Silver, — (Acer  dasycarpum). — The  White,  or  Silver 
Maple,  in  good  situations,  attains  the  height  of  30  to  50  feet, 
with  a  trunk  2  to  4  feet  in  diameter,  but  sometimes  has  a 
diameter  as  8  to  9  feet.  It  is  found  in  a  sandy  loam  on  the 
banks  of  such  rivers  as  have  limpid  waters,  with  a  gravelly 
bed,  and  is  rare  in  miry,  black  soils. 

The  wood  of  this  tree  is  white  and  of  a  fine  texture,  but  is 
softer  and  lighter  than  that  of  any  other  Maple  in  the  United 
States,  and  from  its  want  of  strength  and  durability,  it  is  but 
little  used.  When  dry  it  weighs  38  Ibs.  to  the  cubic  foot.  It 
is  sometimes  used  in  cabinet  making,  instead  of  the  Holly,  for 
inlaying  furniture  of  mahogany,  cherry,  etc.,  but  soon  changes 
color  on  exposure  to  light.  It  may  be  used,  for  want  of  a  bet 
ter,  in  making  wooden  bowls.  Its  charcoal  affords  a  more 
uniform  heat,  and  of  longer  duration  than  any  other.  The 
inner  bark  is  sometimes  used  for  domestic  dying,  to  produce  a 
black  with  copperas. 


128  RESOURCES   OF   WEST    VIRGINIA. 

38.  Maple,  Red— (Acer  rubrum).— This  does  not  attain  the  size 
of  the  Sugar  Maple.  The  ordinary  height  does  not  exceed  50  or 
60  feet,  but  in  the  "  Maple  Swamps"  of  New  Jersey,  it  attains 
the  height  of  70  or  80  feet",  with  a  trunk  3  or  4  feet  in  diame 
ter.  This  tree  flourishes  in  grounds  which  are  sometimes  over 
flowed.  In  the  East,  where  it  attains  its  greatest  size,  it  is  found 
only  on  streams  and  in  miry  swamps.  Singular  to  say,  west  of 
the  Alleghanies,  it  is  seen  growing  on  high  ground  ;vith  the 
Oaks  and  Walnuts,  but  here  it  does  not  grow  so  large  as  in 
the  eastern  swamps. 

The  wood  of  this  tree,  when  dry,  weighs  44  pounds  to  the 
cubic  foot,  and  when  green,  is  soft  and  full  of  watery  matter. 
This  tree,  like  others  which  grow  in  wet  places,  has  a  large 
proportion  of  sap  wood,  and  in  this  case,  the  heart  wood  sends 
rays  into  the  sap  wood.  The  wood  has  but  little  strength,  is 
liable  to  decay  when  exposed  to  alternations  of  moisture  and 
dryness,  is  apt  to  ferment,  and  is  exposed  to  attacks  of  insects. 
Yet  it  is  solid  and  close  grained,  and  for  many  purposes  pre 
ferred  by  workmen  to  other  kinds  of  wood.  It  is  principally 
used  for  the  manufacture  of  chairs,  saddle-trees,  shoe  lasts, 
broom  handles  and  many  other  domestic  articles.  It  is  easily 
wrought  in  the  lathe,  and  acquires,  by  polishing,  a  glossy 
and  silky  surface.  It  sometimes  happens  that  in  very  old 
trees,  the  grain  of  the  wood,  instead  of  following  a  perpen 
dicular  direction,  is  undulated,  and  this  variety  bears  the 
name  of  Curled  Maple.  This  singular  arrangement  is  ne-ver 
found  in  young  trees,  and  it  is  less  conspicuous  in  the  centre 
of  the  tree  than  near  the  bark.  But  trees  with  this  feature 
are  rare.  The  serpentine  direction  of  tbe  fibres  produces, 
when  polished,  a  most  beautiful  effect  of  light  and  shade. 
These  efiects  are  made  more  striking,  if,  after  smoothing  the 
wood,  we  rub  it  with  a  little  sulphuric  acid,  and  after 
wards  with  linseed  oil.  Bedsteads  are  made  of  this  wood, 
which  exceed  in  richness  of  lustre  those  of  the  finest 
imported  woods.  One  of  the  most  constant  uses  to  which  the 
curled  maple  is  applied  is  the  making  of  gunstocks.  For 
this  it  is  unsurpassed,  since  it  unites  elegance  and  lightness, 
with  toughness  and  strength.  The  cellular  matter  of  the 
inner  bark,  boiled  with  copperas,  gives  an  intense  blue  black 
color;  with  alum,  it  is  used  in  dyeing  black. 


RESOURCES   OF   WEST   VIRGINIA.  129 

39.  Mulberry,  Red,—(Morus  rubra). — The  Red  Mulberry  some 
times  attains  the  height  of  60  or  70  feet,  with  a  trunk  hav 
ing  a  diameter  of  2  feet,    when  growing   in   the  forests,  but 
in  open  situations   its  statue  is  low,  and  the  thickness  is  pro 
portionally   increased.     This  tree    has    a   great  tendency    to 
sport.     It   may   be  propagated   by   seeds,   by  cuttings,  graft 
ing,    &c.       It    will  grow  in   a    great    variety    of  soils,    and 
situations,  but  succeeds  best  in  a  rich,  deep  soil,  in  sheltered 
valleys. 

The  wood  is  of  a  yellow  hue,  approaching  lemon  yellow.  It 
is  fine  grained,  compact  and  light.  It  possesses  strength  and 
solidity,  and  when  properly  seasoned,  is  almost  as  durable  as 
the  L  ocnst.  In  the  dock-yards  of  Baltimore,  Philadelphia, 
etc.,  it  is  employed  in  the  construction  of  both  the  upper  and 
lower  frames  of  vessels,  for  knees,  floor  timbers,  &c.  It  is 
preferred  to  every  other  kind  of  wood  except  the  Locust,  for 
trenails. 

Oak, — (Quercus). — The  number  of  species  of  Oak  in  the 
State  is  very  great.  Ail  the  Oaks  growing  in  the  Appa 
lachian  belt,  are  to  be  found  here,  and  many  of  them  attain 
here  their  greatest  size  ai-id  perfection  as  timber  trees.  The 
Oaks  grow  all  over  the  State,  reaching,  perhaps,  their  great 
est  development  in  the  central  and  southern  parts.  They 
form  the  bulk  of  our  timber,  and  certainly  the  most  valuable 
portion  of  it:  In  speaking  of  them  it  will  not  be  necessary  to 
dwell  on  each  species,  as  they  ail  resemble  more  or  less,  the 
most  valuable  of  the  genus,  viz.:  the  White  Oak. 

40.  White  Oak, — (Quercus  Alba). — This  valuable  tree  is  one 
of  the  most  abundant  and  the  largest  trees  in  the  State.     It 
attains  the  height  of  100  feet,  and   more   than  6  feet  in  diam 
eter.     In  the  counties  on  the  Little  Kanawha  river,   and  to 
the  South  of  the  Great  Kanawha,   in  Boone,  Logan,   &c.,  it 
attains  magnificent  proportion?,  and  is  found  in  great  num 
bers.     In  dense  woods  it  grows  to  J  and  -J  of  its  height  clear 
of  limbs.     It  grows  in  a  great  variety  of  soil  and  in  very  dif 
ferent  exposures.     It  does  best  in  deep,  rich  alluvial  bottoms. 

The  wood  is  the  most  valuable  of  all  the  Oaks.     The  tim 
ber    is  better  than  that  of  trees  grown  farther  north.     It  is 
strong,  compact,   hard,   durable,   elastic,  combining  most   of 
the  valuable  properties  found  in  limber. 
17 


130 


RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA. 


It  is  extensively  used  in  making  all  the  parts  of  wagons, 
except  the  axles.  For  plough  handles  and  beams  it  is  indis 
pensable.  It  is  the  only  timber  east  of  the  Mississippi  which 
will  make  staves  suitable  for  vessels  containing  wine  and 
spirituous  liquors,  not  only  on  account  of  the  tightness  of  the 
casks,  but  because  it  gives  no  disagreeable  taste  to  the  liquor. 
—(Resources  of  Tenn.,  p.  83). 

Owing  to  this  fact,  on  all  the  navigable  streams  and  rail 
roads,  a  heavy  business  is  done  in  staves  for  casks,  pipes,  &c. 
Large  quanties  are  shipped  to  the  eastern  markets,  to  Europe, 
the  West  Indies,  and  France. 

The  young  trees  of  the  White  Oak  n,ay  be  rived  into 
thin  splits,  which  are  very  tough  and  elastic,  enabling  them 
to  be  used  in  basket  making,  ifcc.  They  may  also  be  used  for 
some  kinds  of  hoops,  as  for  tobacco  hogsheads.  For  building 
purposes  and  fencing,  it  makes  admirable  timber.  For  floors 
it  is  only  surpassed  by  the  Ash. 

41.  Post  Oak, — (Quercus  obtusiloba). — This  tree,  also  called 
Rough,  or  Box  White  Oak,  belongs  to  the  White  Oak  section 
of  the  genus.     It  grows  on  dry,  thin,  and  gravelly  soil,  form 
ing  a  small  tree,  with  timber  not  so  elastic  as  the  White  Oak, 
but  more  durable.    Being  solid,  tough,  close-grained,  and  hard 
to  split,  it  is  for  some  purposes  more  valuable  than  even  the 
White  Oak,  especially  for -railroad  ties,  (fee. 

42.  Bur  Oak, — (Quercus  macrocarpa). — This  forms  a  hand 
some  middle  sized  tree,  belonging  to  the  White  Oak  section. 
It  grows  in  rich  soil,  and  has  timber  of  the  same  general 
character  with  the  White  Oak. 

43.  Chestnut  Oak, — (Quercus  Prinus  L). — This  tree  may  be 
taken  as  a  type  of  another  section   of  Oaks,  which  is  called 
the   Chestnut   Oak   section.     It    is    marked   by   the    want  of 
lobing  in   the  leaves,  which  causes  them  to  resemble  more  or 
less  those  of  the  Chestnut. 

This  tree  does  well  on  good  soil,  but  delights  in  thin  rock^, 
or  gravelly  ridges  and  benches.  It  grows  from  60  to  80  feet 
high.  The  wood  is  tough  and  durable,  being  equal  to  White 
Oak  for  many  purposes.  Its  greatest  value,  perhaps,  is  for 
tanning  purposes,  yielding  a  large  supply  of  bark,  which  is 
richer  in  Tannin  than  any  other  tree.  The  leather  made 


RESOURCES  OF   WEST    VIRGINIA.  131 

by  it  commands   the   highest  prices,   as   it    is  the  most  solid 
and  durable  known. 

A  variety  of  this  tree  growing  in  rich  soil,  and  quite  com 
mon,  is  called  Yellow  Chestnut  Oak.  It  has  leaves  more  like 
the  Chestnut  than  any  other. 

44.  The    Swamp     White    Oak, — (Quercus   bicolor). — This    is 
another  of  the   Oaks  belonging  to  the  Chestnut  Oak  section. 
It  forms  a  tall  tree,  common  in  low  grounds. 

45.  Willow   Oak, — (Quercus  phellos). — This  tree  is  remark 
able  for  its  willow-like  leaves.     It  forms  a  tree  from  30  to  80 
feet   high,    growing  on  low,   sandy    ground.     It  is  found  in 
small  amounts,  but  furnishes  a  valuable  timber. 

46.  Laurel  or  Shingle  Oak, — (Quercus  imbriearia). — This  tree 
grows  to  the  height  of  30  to  50  feet,  being  found  on  barrens 
and   in   open   woodlands.      It  is   used   mainly   for   shingles, 
whence  the  name.     Found  only  in  small  amounts. 

47.  Black  Jack  Oak, — (Quercus  nigra). — This  tree  grows  in  poor 
and  thin  soil  by  preference,  but  will  flourish  in  good  soil  also. 
It  never  grows  over  30  to  40  feet  high.     It  has  a  toueh,  thick 
bark,  and  possesses  but  little  durability,  decaying  in  a  few 
years.     It  furnishes  an  ash  ver)T  rich  in  potash.     Otherwise 
than  as  a  fuel  it  has  no  value. 

48.  Spanish  Oak, — (Quercus  falcata). — This  tree  is  not  very 
abundant.     It  grows  in  dry,  sandy*soil,  and  attains  the  height 
of  60  to  SO  feet. 

The  wood  is  tough  and  valuable,  making  good  staves  for 
some  purposes.  Its  chief  value  is  in  the  bark,  which  is  excel 
lent  for  tanning. 

49.  Scarlet  Oak, — (Quercus  coccinea). — This   species  is  com 
mon,  growing  on  moist  soil.     Its  timber  is  about  equal  in 
value  to  the  Red  Oak,  and  is  used  for  the  same  purposes. 

50.  Red  Oak, — (Quercus  rubra). — The  Red  Oak  does  not  grow 
quite  so  large  as  the  White  Oak.     It  is  found  both  in  rich 
and  poor  soil,  and  is  quite  common. 

The  timber  is  rather  course  and  is  not  so  durable  or  useful 
as  that  of  the  White  Oak.  Its  rigidity  and  comparative 
freedom  from  warping,  give  it  value  for  sills  and  house  logs. 
It  makes  fine  slabs  for  roofing,  and  is  the  chief  material  for 
the  staves  of  tobacco  hogsheads,  and  flour  barrels.  The 
is  valuable  for  tanning. 


132  RESOURCES   OF   WEST   VIRGINIA. 

51.  Mack  Oal\ — (Quercus  tinctoria.) — The  Black  Oak  grows 
from  40  to  80  feet  high.  It  grows  both  in  rich  and  poor  soil. 
This  is  thought  to  be  one  of  the  most  valuable  in  the  forest  for 
making  boards.  Its  bark  also  is  highly  esteemed  by  the  dyers 
and  tanners.  It  rives  easily,  and  the  boards  made  from  it. 
when^nailed  on  a  roof,  are  not  inclined  to  warp.  Great  qlian- 
ties  are  used  for  hogshead  staves  and  flour  barrels,  it  is  more 
durable  than  any  of  the  Oak-,  except  the  White  Oak  and 
Post  Oak.  (Resources  of  Tenn.,  page  85.) 

•52.  Pin  Ort/'i', — (Quercus  palustris). — This  forms  a  medium 
sized  tree,  growing  in  low  grounds,  and  is  rather  common. 
The  wood  is  hard  and  heavy,  though  rather  coarse.  From 
the  great  thickness  of  its  medullary  plates,  it  shows  beautiful 
graining  when  cut  across,  or  obliquely  to  the  fibres,  The 
wood  is  considered  better  than  that  of  the  Red  Oak. 

Besides  the  above  named  Oaks,  others  of  smaller  size,  and 
of  less  importance,  arc  to  be  found,  which  need  not  be  named 
here. 

53.  Pine,  Yellow, — (Pinus  mitis). — The  Yellow  Pine  grows  on 
high  ground  principally,  abounding  on  poor  sandstone  soils  of 
the  ridges  and  mountains.    It  will  grow  with  rapidity  on  soil 
too  poor  to  produce  other  vegetation.      It  grows  to  the  height 
of  60  to  90  feet,  with  a  diameter  of  2  to  4  feet. 

The  timber  is  valuable  for  many  purposes,  especially  domes 
tic  ones.  As  it  is  fine  gfained,  durable,  and  strong,  it  has  few 
superiors.  This  tree,  so  abundant  in  the  Eastern  States, "and 
forming  so  important  a  source  of  revenue  there,  is  with  us  of 
far  less  importance,  .since  it  does  not  grow  in  such  abundance 
as  to  constitute  an  important  timber  tree.  It  is  found  in  the 
largest  amounts  in  the  sand}'  and  rocky  ridges  of  the  plateau 
districts,  considerable  quantities  growing  in  Raleigh  and  the 
adjoining  counties,  as  well  as  in  Wayne,  Logan,  and  Lincoln. 
More  or  less  of  it  is  scattered  all  over  the  State. 

54.  Pine,    White, — (Pinus  strobus). — This  tree  grows  in  the 
State  on  elevated  grounds,  at  2,000  feet,  and  over.      It  attains 
the  height  of  120  feet  and  more,  with  a  diameter  of  several 
feet.     Some   idea  of   the  fine   development    which    this  tree 
attains   in  the  eastern  part  of  the  State,  may  be  gained  from 
the  statements  concerning  it  made  by  Mr.  Cecil  Clay,  Presi 
dent  of  the  St.  Lawrence  Boom  and  Manufacturing  Company 


RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA.  133 

of  Roncerverte,  Greenbrier  county.  Mr.  Clay  is  engaged  in 
developing  the  White  Pine  district  along  the  Greenbrier  river, 
on  its  upper  waters,  which  is  the  only  region  of  the  State 
producing  any  large  quantity  of  this  pine.  He  says:  "  The 
"ordinary  run  of  cuts  this  winter  (1876,)  is  from  four  to  seven 
'•  16  feet  cuts  per  tree,  averaging  five  cuts  to  the  1,000  feet- 
"There  are  several  hundred  million  feet  of  good  White  Pine 
'•  lumber  in  this  district.  The  White  Pine  growing,  as  it  does 
"here,  at  the  altitude  of  2,000  to  2,500  feet,  has  a  climate 
"about  like  that  of  lower  Pennsylvania,  and  has  much  like- 
"  ness  to  the  Susquelianna  pine.  Where  the  White  Pine  grows, 
"  it  takes  the  ground  to  itself,  and  but  little  of  other  timber  is 
•'found  with  it.  It  grows  in  several  localities  through  the 
"  valley  (Greenbrier.)  On  Deer  and  Sitlington's  creeks  are 
"•  100,000.000  feet.  On  Knapp's  creek  and  branches,  another 
"  100,000,000;  and  Spice,  Laurel,  and  Davy's  Runs,  with  An 
thony's  creek,  and  some  outlying  patches,  would  yield  a 
"third  100,000,000.  This  pine  timber  is  perhaps  a  little 
"  heavier  than  the  Pennsylvania  pine,  but  is  soft  and  smooth 
"  to  work.  It  is  generally  a  sound,  red-knot  timber,  with 
"  remarkably  thin  sapwood.  This  often  does  not  average  over 
"  half  an  inch  in  a  lot  of  1,000  logs.  As  much  as  40,000  feet 
"can  sometimes  be  cut  on  an  acre." 

This  wood,  as  is  well  known,  possesses  great  value  on  account 
of  its  great  lightness,  softness,  and  freedom  from  resinous 
matter.  For  the  manufacture  of  goods  boxes,  mantles,  shut 
ters,  window  sash,  and  for  ceiling,  it  is  mnch  used. 

55.  Pine,  Black, — (Pinus  sigida). — This  tree,  also  called  Pitch 
Pine,  is  found  in  the  same  localities  in  the  east  with  the  Yel 
low  Pines.     It  does  not  grow  so  tall  or  large  as  the  latter,  and 
prefers  thin,  sandy  ridges.     It  is  a  tall  and  slender  tree,  from 
30  to  70  feet  high,  and  from  18  to  2  feet  in  diamter.     The  bark 
is  very  rough  and  dark,  hence  the  name.     The  wood  is  hard 
and  very  rich  in  turpentine. 

56.  The  Poplo.r, — (Liriodendron  tulipifera). — ;This  is  by  far 
the  finest  tree  in  oar  forests.     Nowhere  does  the  Poplar  attain 
greater  dimensions  than  in  West  Virginia.     It  often  reaches 
the  height  of  120  to  140  feet,  and  the  diameter  of  7  to  8.  and  9 
feet,  with  a  distance  of  80  feet  to  the  first  limb.     Several  trees 
are  reported  as   10  and  11  feet  in  diameter  in  this  State.     It 


134  RESOURCES    OF    WEST    VIRGINIA. 

delights  in  deep  loamy  and  extremely  fertile  soils,  such  as  are 
found  in  rich  bottoms  and  on  rivers  or  swamps.  It  will  grow, 
however,  on  soil  of  different  kinds,  but  has  its  timber  affected 
accordingly.  A  deep  sandy  loam  seems  best  for  it.  To  attain 
the  greatest  size,  it  must  be  sheltered  from  the  high  winds, 
and  at  the  same  time  have  light  and  air  enough  to  ripen  its 
wood.  It  is  generally  propagated  by  the  seeds. 

The  timber,  though  classed  among  the  light  woods,  is  yet 
much  heavier  than  the  true  Poplar,  for  this  tree  is  properly 
called  Tulip  tree,  and  not  Poplar.  Its  grain  is  fine,  rather 
compact,  polishes  well  and  is  easily  wrought.  When  dry,  a 
cubic  foot  weighs  25  Ibs.  It  affords  excellent  charcoal,  yielding 
.22  per  cent.  The  heart  wood,  perfectly  seasoned,  long  resists 
the  action  of  the  weather,  and  is  rarely  attacked  by  insects. 
When  not  perfectly  seasoned,  however,  it  is  apt  to  warp  under 
alternations  of  dryness  and  moisture.  The  nature  of  the  soil 
on  which  it  grows  has  a  striking  effect  on  the  color  and  qual 
ity  of  the  wood.  Mechanics  distinguish  three  kinds,  "White," 
"Blue,"  and  ''Yellow.'-  No  external  marks  will  distinguish 
them  positively.  In  general,  the  White  Poplar  grows  on  dry, 
gravelly,  elevated  ground,  and  has  a  branchy  summit,  with  a 
small  amount  of  heart  wood.  The  grain  is  coarser  and  harder, 
and  the  wood  decays  more  rapidly.  The  Blue  has  the  same 
general  character. 

The  Yellow  Poplar  is  by  far  the  finest  kind,  and  has  all 
the  qualities  required  for  a  great  variety  of  uses.  It  would 
take  too  much  space  merely  to  enumerate  all  of  these. 

It  is  used  extensively  in  the  interior  of  houses,  for  shingles 
and  for  weather-boarding.  Large  quantities  are  used  in  ma 
king  trunks  covered  with  cloth  or  skins;  for  tables,  bed 
steads,  seats  of  chairs,  etc.;  for  the  supports  of  veneers,  inner 
work  of  bureaus,  &c. ;  in  winnowing  machines,  for  bowls, 
broom  handles,  rails,  and  planking  for  fences,  for  the  backing 
of  picture  frames,  looking  glasses,  &c.,  it  is  employed. 

The  bark  of  the  tree  is  considered  by  some  hardly  inferior  as 
an  antiseptic  and  tonic  to  the  Cinchona.  The  aromatic  prin 
ciple  resides  in  a  resinous  matter  in  the  bark,  and  when  used 
stimulates  the  intestinal  canal  and  acts  as  a  gentle  cathartic. 
In  many  instances  the  stomach  cannot  support  it  unlese  ac 
companied  writh  a  few  drops  of  laudanum.  The  bark  mixed 


RESOURCES    OF    WEST    VIRGINIA. 


135 


with  an  equal  amount  of  Dogtvood,  and  steeped  in  whisky, 
forms  a  tincture  used  as  a  remedy  for  intermittent  fever.  The 
bark  reduced  to  powder  and  given  to  horses,  is  a  pretty  sure 
remedy  for  worms, 

The  Poplar  is  one  of  the  most  generally  diffused  and  abun 
dant  trees  in  the  State. 

Great  quantities  of  the  finest  trees  are  to  be  found  in  the 
central  and  southern  counties.  Perhaps  some  of  the  largest 
timber  is  to  be  found  on  the  affluents  of  the  New  and  Ka- 
nawha  rivers,  and  the  Big  Sandy. 

57.  Red  Bud,— (Cercis  Canaclensis).— This  tree,  though  small, 
is  quite  common,  and  deserves  mention  for  the  great  beauty  of 
its  wood.     It  does  not  often  surpass   the  height  of  20  feet,  or 
diameter  of  12  inches.     It  grows  along  the  banks  of  streams, 
in  a  deep,  free,  sandy  soil,  rather  rich  than  poor. 

The  wood  is  very  hard  and  beautifully  veined,  or  rather 
blotched  and  waved,  with  black,  green,  and  yellow  spots,  on  a 
greyish  ground.  When  seasoned  it  takes  a  beautiful  polish, 
and  weighs  nearly  50  Ibs.  to  the  cubic  foot.  It  would  serve 
well  to  saw  into  veneers-  The  baik  and  young  branches  are 
used  to  dye  wool  of  a  nankin  color.  The  flowers  are  used 
by  the  French  Canadians  in  salads  and  pickles,  and  might  be 
fried  with  butter  cr  fritters. 

58.  Sassafras, — (Sassafras  officinale). — The  Sassafras,  west  of 
the  Alleghanies,  is  often  a  large  tree,  attaining  in  West  Vir 
ginia   the    height  of   70  or  80  feet,  and  a  diameter  of  more 
than  3  feet. 

The  tree  will  grow  in  any  free  soil,  rather  moist  than  dry, 
"and  is  generally  propagated  from  seed.  The  wood  of  the  large 
Sassafras  tree  is  of  a  reddish  cast,  and  has  a  somewhat  corn- 
pact  grain,  but  is  quite  weak,  breaking  easily.  Stripped  of 
its  bark,  it  resists  decay  well,  and  may  be  used  for  the  posts 
and  rails  of  rural  fences.  It  has  almost  no  odor  after  drying 
thoroughly.  It  is  not  a  good  fuel,  as  it  snaps  too  much.  The 
wood  imparts  to  wool  a  very  durable  orange  color.  Medici 
nally,  the  wood,  roots,  and  bark  of  the  Sassasfras,  are  consid 
ered  to  be  an  excellent  stimulant  and  sudorific.  A  decoction 
of  Sassafras  chips,  sold  by  druggists,  is  wrell  known  as  a  remedy 
for  scorbutic  affections.  The  bark  and  pith  of  the  young  twigs, 
abound  in  a  mucilage  very  pure,  and  like  that  of  Okra.  This 


136  RESOURCES   OF   WEST    VIRGINIA. 

mucilage  is  peculiarly  mild  and  lubricatory,  and  has  been 
used  with  much  benefit  in  dysentery  and  catarrh,  and  especi 
ally  as  a  lotion  in  the  inflammatory  stages  of  ophthalmia. 
The  flowers  are  considered  as  stomachic,  and  purifying  to  the 
blood,  as  is  the  root,  when  formed  into  an  infusiou,  and  drunk 
as  tea. 

59.  Sour    Wood, — (Oxydendendrum   arboreum). — This   is   a 
tree,  growing  from  15  to  40  feet  high,  and  attaining  occasion 
ally  a  diameter  of  2  to  2i-  feot.     It  has  a  large  proportion  of 
sap  wood,  which  is  white  and  rather  soft.      The  heart  wood  is 
of  a  pale,  pinkish  color.      It  is  not  abundant  enough  to  make 
timber  of  any  importance.      It  grows  mainly  along  the  Alle- 
ghanies,  in  rich  woods. 

60.  Sycamore, — (Platanus  occidentalis). — This  is  one  of  the 
largest  forest  trees,  attaining  the  height  of  120  feet,  and  occa 
sionally  the  diameter  of  7  or  8  feet,  although  3  and  4  feet  is 
the  usual  size.     This  tree  grows  along  streams,  or  in  the  vicin 
ity  of  them,  since  it  is  a  moisture  loving  tree,  and  delights  in 
an  alluvial  soil.     It  takes  a  good  polish,  and  sometimes  the 
grain  is  wavy  and  strikingly  beautiful.     It  speedily  decays 
when  exposed  to  the  weather,   and  will  n-ot   split.     The  old 
trees  are  apt  to  become  hollow,  and  then  attain  great  diameter, 
even  a-;  much  as  11  and  12  feet. 

61.  Walnut,  Black, — ( Juglans  nigra). — This  fine  tree  is  one  of 
the  more  important  sources  of  revenue  in  our  forest  products. 
It  is  generally  diffused  in  rich  soils  all  over  the  State.    It  some 
times  attains  the  height  of  80  to  90  feet,  and  the  great  diameter 
of  9  feet  (this  has  baen  actually  measured),  but  is  quite  com 
monly  50  to  80  feet  high,  and  3  to  6  feet  in  diameter.     It  grows 
in  the  richest  soils,  perferring   deep  calcareous  loams,  full  of 
vegetable  matter.      It  will  grow  at  any  elevation,  but  is  espe 
cially  abundant  in  the  plateau  region,  where  the  trees  grow  50 
and  60  feet  without  limbs,  and  5  to  6  feet  in  diameter.      The 
exquisite   rich,  dark    brown  color  of  the  wood,  its  hardness, 
strength,  and  the  high  polish  which  it  can  take,  will  always 
give  it  value  for  making  the  finer  kinds  of  furniture.    Among 
other  use*,  it   is  extensively  employed  in  making  counters, 
railings,  and  finishing  work   on   the   interior  of  houses  ;  also, 
for  gun  stocks,  picture  frames,  coffins,  &c. 


RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA.  137 

Stumps  and  knots,  when  worked  up  into  veneering  slabs, 
have  great  beauty  and  value,  on  account  of  the  ornamental 
curling  of  the  grain.  The  bark  is  used  in  dying  brown. 

In  the  amount  and  value  of  her  walnut  timber,  our  State  is 
rivalled  only  by  Tennessee  among  the  Appalachian  States. 

62.  Walnut,  White — (Juglans  cinerea). — This  tree  grows  on  the 
margins  of  streams,  and  is  sometimes  found  on  rich  northern 
slopes.     It  is  not  so  large  a  tree  as   the  Black  Walnut,  and  in 
West  Virginia  is  not  nearly  so  abundant.      The  wood  is  much 
lighter  in  color,  having  a  reddish  tinge.     It   is   durable,  but 
not  strong,  and  is  used  in  some  ornamental  work.     The   bark 
is  used  in  some  cases,    in   dyeing  a   brown,   and  a   laxative 
extract  is  gathered  from  the  inner  part  of  it. 

63.  Willow,  White, — (Salix  alba). — This   is  a  quite  common 
tree,  growing  to  the  height  of  60  to  80  feet.     No  use  is  made  of 
the  wood. 

The  above  are  the  more  important  of  the  timber  and  other 
trees,  found  in  the  State.  The  enumeration  does  not  pretend 
to  be  a  complete  list  of  our  forest  trees,  and  might  be  extended 
considerably  by  including  in  it,  those  trees  and  shrubs  which, 
though  generally  diffused,  are  of  no  importance,  on  account  of 
their  small  size,  or  inferior  wood. 

The  following  partial  list  of  small  trees  and  shrubs  is  given 
to  illustrate  the  character  of  our  smaller  growths  : 

The  Alder — Both  the  Mountain  Alder,  (Alnus  viridisj  and 
the  Smooth  Alder,  {A.  serrulata),  form  shrubs,  and  grow  along 
streams,  the  former,  as  its  name  implies,  being  confined  to  the 
mountains.  The  Crab  Apple,  (Pyrus  coronaria),  forms  a 
small  tree,  sometimes  20  feet  high.  The  Chinquapin,  (Casta- 
nea  purnila),  sometimes  forms  a  tree  20  feet  high.  The  Elder, 
(Sambucus  Canadensis),  bears  a  berry  from  which  a  palatable 
wine  is  made.  It  is  a  small  shrub.  The  Grape  (vitis),  of 
several  species  is  found.  The  fox  Grape,  (V.  vulpinaj,  grows 
close  to  the  banks  of  streams,  and  produces,  a  large,  highly 
odorous,  and  pleasant  tasting  berry.  The  Summer  Grape,  (V . 
aestivalis),  and  the  Winter  Grape,  (V.  cordifolia),  are  very 
common. 

The  Grape  merits  here  a  more  particular  mention,  since 
the  size,  and  mode  of  growth  shown  in  the  wild  kinds,  is  some 
indication  of  the  degree  of  success,  with  which  the  cultivated 
18 


OF  WES±  VIRGINIA. 

kinds  maybe  raised  in  our  soil  and  climate.  So  far  as  the 
abundance  and  size  of  the  kinds  growing  spontaneously  with 
us  indicate  anything,  the  conditions  for  grape  culture  are 
very  favorable.  Vines  are  not  uncommon  which  attain  a 
diameter  of  6  and  7  inches.  Some  10  inches  in  diameter  are 
known. 

One  well  authenticated  case  is  reported  of  a  vine  which  grew 
on  the  banks  of  Elk  river,  in  Braxton  county,  and  which 
attained  the  great  diameter  of  21  inches. 

.  The  Han;  Black,  (Viburnum  prunifolium),  and  the  Scarlet 
fruited  Haw,  (Crataegus  coccinea),  are  quite  common.  The 
Mountain  Laurel,  (Kalmia  latifolia),  and  the  Great  Laurel,  or 
Rhododendron,  (Rhododendron  maximum),  are  exceedingly 
abundant  in  the  rocky  hills  and  on  the  mountain  sides.  The 
close-grained,  heavy,  easily  worked  wood  of  the  Rhodo 
dendron,  is  largely  used  in  the  manufacture  of  small  wares, 
considerable  amounts  are  shipped  north  from  the  counties  on 
the  Gauley  and  New  River,  and  the  wood  is  regularly  quoted 
in  the  Baltimore  market.  The  Magnolia,  or  Umbrella  Tree, 
(Magnolia  Umbrella  >,  is  not  rare,  and  attains  the  size  of  a 
small  tree.  Ltathv-irood,  (Dirca  palustris),  also  is  found.  This 
has  a  very  brittle  soft  wood,  with  an  exceedingly  tough  bark, 
which  is  used  for  thongs.  It  is  a  small  shrub.  Popaw,  (Asi- 
mina  triloba),  is  very  common  on  rich  alluvial  soils.  It 
grows  to  the  height  of  10  to  20  feet,  and  bas  an  edible  pleas 
ant  fruit.  Persimmon  (Diospyra  Virginiana),  with  a  hard  dark 
wood,  and  edible  fruit  grows  to  the  height  of  20  to  60  feet 
Scrn'cfi,  or  Mind  Bv*h  (Amelanchier  Canadensis),  is  a  very  varia 
ble  shrub  or  small  tree.  Spice  Wood,  (Lindera  Benzoin},  is  found 
with  highly  aromatic  wood,  Sumach,  Staghorn,  (Rhus  typhina), 
sometimes  grows  to  the  size  of  a  small  tree,  with  hand 
some  wood.  Sumach,  Common,  (R.  glabra),  is  very  widely  dif 
fused,  and  valuable  in  tanning  and  dyeing.  Willon\  Black 
(Salif  mV/m),  is  a  small  tree  with  beautiful  yellow  variegated 
heart  wood.  This  attains  the  height  of  lo  to  25  feet  along 
streams.  Yelloir  Wi.ll.oir,  (Sails  17wuwa//A  useful  tor  basket 
making,  is  not  rare,  also  the  Common  Willow  (S.  longifolia  . 

MEDICINAL  PLANTS. 

The  following  list  of  Medicinal  Plants  growing  in  West  Vir 
ginia,  was  taken  from  the  transactions  of  the  Med.  Soc'y.  of 


RESOURCES    OF    WEST    VIRGINIA.  139 

W.  Va.,  for  1867  and  1871.  These  plants  were  reported  on  by 
a  committee,  of  which  Dr.  A.  S.  Todd,  of  Wheeling,  was 
chairman.  To  him  we  are  indebted  for  it.  The  botanical 
terms  used  are  those  employed  by  Gray,  while  the  common 
names  are  those  used  in  West  Virginia  : 

1.  Achillea  millefolium  (  Milfoil  ].  2.  Acorus  Calamus 
(Sweet  Flag).  3.  Aletris  farinosa  \Unicorn,  or  CholicRoot}. 
4.  Alnus  serrulata  (Smooth  Alder).  5.  Apocynum  andro- 
saemifolium  (Dogsbane).  6.  Archangelica  atropurpurea  (Mas 
ter  Root).  7.  Artemisia  Absinthium  (Common  Wormwood). 
8.  Aralia  hispida  (Dwarf  Elder).  9.  Arisaema  triphyllum 
(Indian  Turnip}.  10.  Aristolochia  serpentaria  (Virginia 
Snake  Root).  11.  Asarum  Canadense  (Wild  Ginger}.  12.  As 
clepias  cornuti  (Common  Milk > veed).  13.  Asclepias  incarnata 
(Swamp  Milkweed}.  14.  Asclepias  tuberosa  (Pleurisy  Root). 
15.  Baptisia  tinctoria  (Wild  Indigo}.  16.  Cassia  Marylandica 
(Wild  Senna\.  17.  Ceanothus  Americanus  (Xen-  Jersey  Tea). 
18.  Chimaphila  Umbellafa  (Pipsissewa).  19.  Chenopodium 
Botrys  (Jerusalem  Oak).  20.  Comptonia  asplenifolium  (Sweet 
Fern).  21.  Cornus  florida  (Dogwood).  22.  Corydalis  forraosa 
(Turkey  Corn).  23.  Cypripedium  parviflorum  (Small  Yellow 
Ladies'  Slipper).  24.  Cypripedium  pubescens  (Large  Yd- 
low  Ladles'  Slipper).  25.  Datura  Stramonum  (Jaiiiexto/cn 
Weed}.  26.  Daucus  Carota  i  Wild  Carrot.) .  27.  Epigaea  re- 
pens  (  Trailing  Arbutus).  28.  Eupatorium  perfoliatum  Bonc- 
xet).).  29.  Galium  aparine  (Goose  Gms$).  30.  Gaultheria  pro- 
cumbus  (Creeping  Winter  Green).  31.  Gentiana  puberula 
(Gentian  Blue).  32.  Geranium  maculatum  i  Spotted  Crane's 
Jbitt).  33.  Hepatica  triloba  (liverwort).  34.  Hydrastis  Cana- 
densis  (Yellow  Root).  35.  Hamamelis  Virginica  (Witch  Ha 
zel).  36.  Juniperus  Sabina  (Savin).  37.  Inula  Helenium 
(Elecampane}.  38.  Symplocarpus  foetidus  (Skunk  Cabbage^). 
39.  Juglaus  cinerea  (Butternut).  40.  Lap  pa  Ofticinalis  (Bur 
dock).  41.  Liatris  ^picata  (Button  Snake  Root).  42.  Lirio- 
dendron  tulipifera  (Tulip  Tree,  or  Poplar).  43.  Lobelia  iiifla- 
ta  (Indian  Tobacco).  44.  Lindera  Benzoin  (Spicetrood).  45. 
Marrubium  Vulgare  (Horehound).  46.  Mentha  viridis  (Spear 
mint).  47.  Monarda  punctata  (Ilorsemint).  48.  Nepeta 
Glechoma  (Ground  Ivy).  49.  Nyrnphaea  odorata  (White  Wa 
ter  Lily).  50.  Conopholis  'Americana  (Beech  Drops).  51. 


140  RESOURCES   OF   WEST    VIRGINIA. 

Aralia  quinquefolia  (Ginseng}.  52.  'Pinus  strobus  (White 
Pinie).  53.  Phytolaccha  decandra  (Poke  weed}.  54.  Poly  gal  a 
Senega  (Seneca  Snake  Root).  55.  Podopbyllum  peltatum 
(May  Apple).  56.  Primus  Serotina  (Wild  Cherry).  57.  Ptelea 
trifoliata  (Trefoil).  58.  Polygonatum  biflorum  (Small  Solo 
mon's  Seal).  59.  Ranunculus  bulboses  (Crowfoot).  60.  Rumex 
crispus  and  R.  conglomerates  (Culled  Dock,  and  Narrow 
Leaved  Dock).  61.  Rubin  villosus  (Blackberry).  62.  Salix 
alba  (White  Willow).  63.  Sabbatia  angularis  (American  Oen- 
taury).  64.  Sassafras  offioinale  (Sassafras).  65.  Solatium 
dulcamera  (Bitter-Sweet).  66.  Sambucus  Canadensis  (Eider.) 
67.  Sanguinaria  Canadensis  (Blood  Root).  68.  Taraxicum 
Dens  Leonis  (Dandelion).  70.  Viburnum  opulus  (Hinh  Cran 
berry}.  71.  Verbascum  thapsus  (Mul'ein).  72.  Veratrum 
viride  ( White  Hellebore).  73.  Veronica  Virginica  ( Culver's 
Root-).  74.  Zanthoxylum  Americanum  (Prickly  Ash).  75. 
Cimicifuga  racemosa  (Black  Snake  Root).  76.  Lycopus  Vir- 
ginicus  (Bugle  Weed). 

The  large  amount  of  woodland,  the  great  variety  of  soil  and 
exposures  in  the  State,  would  lead  one  to  expect  to  find  here  a 
great  number  of  the  plants  which  delight  in  a  virgin  soil.— 
As  many  of  the  medicinal  plants  of  the  cooler  portions  of  the 
temperate  zone  are  of  this  character,  perhaps  no  State  of  equal 
size  can  present  a  greater  variety  or  larger  amounts  of  these. 
In  many  parts  of  this  section,  where  farming  is  carried  on  on 
a  small  scale,  and  there  is  a  great  deal  of  "  wild  lands,"  the 
people  suppliment  the  products  of  their  small  patches  of  till 
able  land  by  gathering  the  medicinal  plants  for  sale.  .Of 
course  only  those  plants  are  thus  collected  which  meet  with 
a  sure  sale.  These  are  such  as  employed  on  a  large  scale  in 
the  manufacture  of  medicines,  or  are  exported. 

A  good  deal  of  Blood  Root,  and  of  the  different  varieties  of 
Snake  Root,  is  gathered  in  the  State,  especially  in  the  north 
ern  part.  In  the  southern  counties  a  great  deal  of  Ginseng 
(Aralia),  is  collected.  With  many  of  the  people  of  the  back 
counties,  the  collecting  of  this  plant  forms  an  important  busi 
ness.  In  Lincoln,  Logan,  &c.,  entire  families  in  summer 
leave  their  homes  and  camp  out  during  the  whole  season. 
They,  with  their  dogs  and  guns,  make  long  jounrneys  in 
search  of  the  plant,  going  even  into  the  mountains  of  remote 


RESOURCES   OF   WEST    VIRGINIA.  141 

eastern  counties,  such  as  Pocahontas,  £c.  Many  tons  of  this 
material  are  thus  gathered,  whose  ultimate  destination  is 
China.  When  green,  it  sells  for  50  cents  per  pound  ;  washed 
and  dried  in  the  sun  it  commands  from  $1,00  to  $1,25  and 
$1,50,  according  to  the  demands  for  it. 


CHAPTER    VIII. 

TIMBER— ITS  DISTRIBUTION  AXI)  DEVEL 
OPMENT. 

BY    \VM.    \V.    FONTAIN-E. 

In  West  Virginia,  as  in  most  thinly  and  newly  settled 
States,  which  possess  fine  forest  lands,  the  first  source  of 
income  which  becomes  available,  is  the  timber.  Many  causes 
conspire  to  induce  the  new  settler  to  turn  first  to  forest  pro 
ducts,  among  the  most  important  of  which  is  the  necessity  of 
removing  the  wood  from  the  soil,  in  order  to  prepare  for  the 
plough. 

He  is  especially  tempted  to  fell  his  forests,  when,  as  with 
us,  much' of  the'  timber  is  of  good  quality,  and  of  the  kind 
most  used  in  the  large  manufacturing  cities  of  the  adjoining 
States.  ( 

Indeed,  the  only  cause  which  has  prevented  the  almost  total 
demolition  of  our  woodlands,  has  been  the  impossibility  of 
getting  much  of  the  lumber  to  market.  West  Virginia  has 
had  much  to  complain  of  in  her  lack  of  means  of  transpor 
tation,  but  it  is  a  question,  whether  in  the  near  future,  she 
will  not  be  more  than  repaid  for  any  previous  lack  of  reve 
nue  from  her  timbers,  by  having  been  compelled  to  retain 
them,  until  from  the  rapid  consumption  of  the  forests  in  the 
adjoining  States,  she  will  obtain  something  like  an  adequate 
return  for  them.  Indeed,  it  is  not  too  much  to  say  that  ere 
long,  it  will  pay  to  build  short  lines  of  narrow-gauge  rail 
roads  to  develop  the  timber  alone,  of  favored  districts.  That 
this  time  is  not  far  oft'  is  shown  by  the  greatly  decreased 


RESOURCES   OF   WEST   VIRGINIA.  14. > 

exportation  of  the  principal  timber  producing  sections.  Of 
late  years,  we  have '  feen  the  lumbermen  of  Michigan  and 
Maine,  investing  in' the  pine  forests  of  Florida  and  Alabama, 
and  the  vast  amount  of  lumber  shipped  from  Pensacola  and 
other  Southern  ports,  points  to  the  speedy  exhaustion  of  this 
field  also.  The  timber  men  of  Pennsylvania  have  already 
secured  the  greater  part  of  our  White  Pine  forests.  -But  we 
give  this  merely  by  way  of  illustration,  for  Pine  can  never 
be  with  us  a  principal  export.  It  is  in  our  Poplar,  hard  and 
ornamental  woods,  &c.,  that  we  look  for  the  greatest  develop 
ment. 

Of  the  16,640,000  acres  of  land  in  the  State,  between  9,000,- 
000  and  10,000,000  are  in  the  original  forest.  The  older  set 
tled  counties,  such  as  Jefferson,  Berkeley,  Harrison,  Monon- 
galia,  Greenbrier,  Monroe,  <X:c.,  have  the  smallest  pro 
portion  of  timbered  land.  In  the  other  part. of  the  State,  the 
main  body  of  the  cleared  land  lies  immediately  along  the 
principal  streams,  and  their  more  important  tributaries.  The 
first  settlements  were  naturally  made  where  the  land  was 
richest  and  most  level,  I  e.,  along  tbe  water  courses,  and  later, 
the  streams  afford  advantages  for  sending  the  timber  to  mar 
ket,  which  caused  their  banks  to  be  more  closely  cleared. 

The  rest  of  the  country  is  covered  quite  uniformly,  with 
those  varieties  of  trees  which  permit  a  pretty  wide  range  of 
soil  and  exposure.  The  tiees,  of  course,  vary  in  size,  abund 
ance,  and  the  quality  of  their  wood,  according  to  the  adap 
tion  of  the  locality  to  supply  their  special  requirements,  but 
are  never  entirely  absent.  These  aro  mainly  deciduous  and 
hard- wood  species. 

Other  varieties  of  trees,  which  require  particular  condi 
tions  for  their  growth,  are  found  confined  to  limited  areas  in 
particular  districts.  Such  trees  are  the  Evergreens,  as  the 
Pines,  Firs.  c^cc. 

DISTRIBUTION    OF    TIMBEK. 

It  will  be  found  convenient  to  retain,  in  considering  this 
part  of  our  subject,  the  subdivision  of  the  State,  made  under 
the  head  of  Topography.  It  will  be  rernembsred  that  there, 
two  principal  divisions  were  made,  viz.:  The  Mountain  Re 
gion  and  the  Hill  vTlegion.  It  was  also  stated  that  the  Pla- 
'teau  portion  of  the  Hilly  Region,  differed  in  many  points 


144  RESOURCES    OF    WEST    VIRGINIA. 

from  the  rest.  In  speaking  then  of  the  distribution  of  the 
timber  over  the  State,  we  will  recognize  three  sections,  the 
Mountain  Region,  the  Plateau  Region,  and  the  Hilly  Region 
(proper).  This  latter,  it  will  be  remembered,  includes  the 
great  body  of  the  central  and  western  portions  of  the  State. 

For  much  valuable  information  concerning  the  general 
distribution  of  timber  over  the  State,  we  are  indebted  to  Col.. 
B.  W.  Byrne,  State  Superintendent  of  Schools,  whose  exten 
sive  acquaintance  with  the  country,  makes  this  particularly 
reliable. 

There  is  great  similarity  in  the  timber  over  most  of  the 
State.  It  is  composed  mainly  of  White,  Chestnut,  Black  and 
Red  Oaks,  Chestnut,  Hickory,  Poplar,  Ash,  Sugar  Maple, 
Hemlock,  Beech,  Locust,  and  Black  Walnut.  These  are 
almost  universally  present,  and  form,  in  the  Hilly  Region, 
almost  the  entire  timber.  Some  Yellow  Pine  is  found  grow 
ing  in  a  dispersed  manner,  almost  everywhere  in  the  State, 
mainly  confined  to  the  ridges.  This  and  the  Hemlock  Spruce 
(Abies  Canadensis),  of  the  Evergreens,  seem  to  permit  the 
widest  range  of  growth.  They  are  both  most  at  home  in  the 
Plateau  and  Mountain  Regions.  It  is  said  that  there  was 
once  once  a  considerable  belt  of  Yellow  Pine,  growing  in 
the  counties  near  the  Ohio  river,  and  some  distance  back,  as 
in  Ritchie  county.  This  has  almost  disappeared,  although 
scattered  trees  are  to  be  found  even  on  the  ridges  along  the 
Ohio  itself.  There  are  indications  that  this  tree  was  once 
much  more  abundant,  for  Pine  knots  are  found  in  numbers, 
where  the  trees  do  not  now  grow. 

Tiie  Hemlock  Spruce  seems  to  have  crept  down  from  the 
eastern  highlands  along  the  streams,  heading  up  in  them, 
and  to  have  maintained  its  position  along  them,  for  a  con 
siderable  distance  within  the  deciduous  timber  of  the  Hilly 
Region.  Thus  we  find  considerable  bodies  of  this  tree  far 
down  the  Big  Sandy  and  Guyandotte,  towards  the  Ohio,  in 
Wyoming,  Logan,  &c. 

Of  the  hard  woods,  the  White  Oak  is  by  far  the  most 
abundant.  It  forms  one-third,  and  perhaps  one-half,  of  all 
the  timber  in  the  State,  and  is  one  of  the  most  generally  dif 
fused  trees.  In  the  Hilly  Region  of  the  northern  part  of  the 
State,  between  the  head  waters  of  the  Cheat  and  the  Ohio, 


RESOURCES  OF    WEST   VIRGINIA.  145 

according  to  Diss  Debar,  "  It  grows  on  heavy  rich  clay  loams, 
"•  and  in  closeness  of  grain  and  firmness,  is  unsurpassed.  In 
"  the  whole  basin  drained  by  Fishing  creek,  Middle  Island 
'l  creek,  Little  Kanawha  and  branches,  Sand  creek,  Great 
"  Kanawha,  and  those  of  its  branches  emptying  into  it  below 
"  the  Falls,  and  the  Guyandotte  and  Big  Sandy  rivers,  the 
"Oaks,  Poplar  or  Tulip  tree,  Walnut,  Cherry,  Sycamore,  Ash, 
"  Chestnut,  and  Locust,  attain  a  size  not  surpassed  on  the 
"  North  American  continent,  east  of  the  Rocky  Mountains." 
To  this,  we  may  add  that  the  Oak,  Poplar,  and  Chestnut,  seem 
to  increase  in  size  south  of  the  Great  Kanawha.  Gigantic  Pop 
lars  are  reported  reliably  from  that  district,  10  and  11  feet  in 
diameter,  and  Oaks  6  and  7  feet. 

A  White  Oak  from  Taylor  county,  is  reported  as  8  feet  6 
inches  in  diameter.  We  mention  these  merely  as  instances  of 
extreme  size.  This  belt  of  country  is  emphatically  the  home 
of  the  deciduous  trees.  Only  scattered  groves  of  White  and 
Yellow  Pine  are  occasionally  found. 

The  Big  Sandy  and  Guyandotte,  with  their  tributaries,  and 
the  country  between  these  rivers  and  the  Great  Kanawha, 
are  very  heavily  timbered,  and  almost  untouched.  Along 
with  the  hard-woods,  and  Hemlocks  of  this  district,  some 
Yellow  Pine  occurs. 

In  many  parts  of  the  State  throughout  this  region,  we  find 
Chestnut  Oak  on  the  ridges,  large  Chestnuts  on  the  hillsides, 
and  Beech  rather  closely  confined  to  the  vicinity  of  the 
streams.  Besides  the  principal  trees  above  named,  we  find 
other  varieties  distributed  all  over  the  Hilly  Region.  Among 
them  we  may  name  the  Black  Gum,  the  Sweet  Gum,  Buckeye, 
White  Maple,  White  Walnut,  Linden,  Cucumber  Tree,  sev 
eral  species  of  Maple,  Elm,  and  Ash,  the  latter  quite  abund 
ant,  &c.,  &c. 

Eastward  of  this  belt  of  fine  deciduous  timber,  as  we  ascend 
the  Plateau,  the  size  of  the  deciduous  trees  diminishes,  and 
the  timber  is,  in  some  kinds  of  trees,  poorer,  except  along  the 
streams  and  in  their  vicinity,  although  still  valuable.  The 
Evergreens  increase  in  frequency  in  this  direction,  until  we 
pass  into  certain  sections  when  the  timber  changes  considera 
bly,  mainly  by  the  diminution  of  the  Oak,  Poplar  and  Hick- 


146  RESOURCES  OF   WEST   VIRGINIA. 

ory,  and  the  increase  of  the  Walnut.  Cherry,  Chestnut,  Maple, 
and  coniferous  trees. 

Mr.  R.  K.  Cautley,  who  has  traveled  over  a  good  deal  of  the 
State,  and  is  an  excellent  observer,  says  of  this  region,  in 
"  The  Lumberman,"  that  the  streams  flow  in  deep  gorges, 
which,  however,  are  not  precipitous,  and  have  usually  a  rich 
soil.  Their  benches  carry  heavy  timber,  while  even  the  tops 
of  the  ridges  have  good  Chestnut  Oak.  On  the  great  upland 
plateaus,  especially  near  the  heads  of  the  streams,  i.  e.,  the 
New  River,  there  are  large  tracts  of  heavy  timber,  with  large 
lots  of  Black  Walnut,  and  Figured  Maple.  He  measured  on 
six  upland  acres,  on  an  average  of  land,  4  White  Oaks  to  the 
acre,  with  a  girth  8£  feet,  5  feet  from  the  ground.  And  again, 
he  says  that  he  finds  here  a  larger  proportion  of  the  timber 
below  marketable  size,  although,  as  the  whole  face  of  the 
country  is  timbered,  a  good  deal  could  be  picked  out.  As  an 
illustration,  he  mentions  that  on  one  tract,  some  70  miles  up  the 
Gauley  rive1',  one-fourth  of  it  was  excellently  timbered,  while 
a  good  deal  of  the  remainder  was  possessed  chiefly  by  enormous 
Red  Oak,  Chestnut,  and  Chestnut  Oak,  with  quantities  of  Su 
gar  Maple.  Each  of  the  numerous  water  courses,  were  lined  by 
Hemlock  forests,  however,  such  as  he  had  never  seen  in  this 
section.  In  two  or  three  other  districts,  he  rode  through  a  great 
deal  of  White  Oak  and  Poplar,  but  the  size  was  too  small  to 
justify  the  title  of  a  finely  timbered  country,  and  yet  the  next 
valley  to  such  a  one  would  be  splendidly  clothed  with  many 
kinds  of  valuable  trees.  He  gives  the  opinion  of  the  head  of 
one  of  the  largest  stave  houses  in  New  York,  on  the  White 
Oak  of  this  district.  This  is:  That  in  size,  it  is  con-iderably 
inferior  to  the  Michigan  timber,  but  in  every  other  respect 
superior  to  it,  and  equal,  if  not  superior,  to  any  in  the  United 
States,  i.  <?.,  in  strength,  grain,  absence, of  streaks,  and  worm 
holes.  Pennsylvania  experts  also,  place  it  above  their  own 
White  Oak.  He  thinks  that  the  run  of  the  trunks  in  this 
section  will  not  give  an  average  diameter  in  the  best  trees,  of 
more  than  20  inches,  at  breast  high.  The  larger  Oak  lies  in 
patches.  It  will  be  observed  that  in  this  account,  Mr.  C.  is 
speaking  of  the  timber  in  demand  for  exportation,  and  of  the 
average  of  that.  As  an  illustration  of  what  may  be  fre 
quently  obtained,  even  in  this  belt,  by  selection,  we  may  add 


RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA.  147 

the  following  account  by  the  same  person.  After  speaking 
of  his  riding  through  a  good  deal  of  small  timber,  he  says,  we 
entered  a  big  promontory  of  800  acres  or  more,  of  rich, 
smooth  land,  timbered  with  huge  trees,  Poplar,  Hickory,  Ash, 
Walnut,  &c.  The  Hickory  was  both  shell  and  close-bark — the 
largest  he  ever  saw;  the  Poplar  both  numerous  and  large;  the 
Ash  very  nice,  and  the  White  Oak  the  finest  he  had  yet  seen 
in  this  country.  It  grew  along  the  ridges,  and  dozens  of  trees 
were  seen,  30  to  40  inches  in  diameter,  at  breast  height.  One 
was  54  inches,  and  rose  60  inches,  clear  of  limbs.  All  the  timber 
was  straight,  and  held  its  size  high  towards  the  limbs. 

These  examples  may  suffice  to  give  a  fair  idea  of  the  two 
zones  of  timber  to  be  found  in  the  Hilly  Region  and  on  the 
lower  parts  of  the  Plateau  district. 

We  will  now  turn  our  attention  to  the  higher  Plateau  dis 
trict  and  the  eastern  parts  of  the  State  : 

Here  we  will  find  considerable  change  in  the  forests.  Com 
mencing  in  the  southern  part  of  this  belt  we  find  the  Plateau 
terminating  on  the  east  in  the  broad  and  lofty  ranges  of  the 
Great  Flat-Top  and  White  Oak  mountains.  The  eastern  edge 
of  this  elevated  table-land,  after  crossing  New  river  into  the 
western  part  of  Greenbrier,  no  longer  presents  an  unbroken 
out-crop,  but  is  cut  down  into  irregular,  more  or  less  isolated, 
spurs  and  knobs,  while  northward,  in  the  north-western  part 
of  Pocahontas,  and  in  Randolph,  it  passes  into  the  anticlinal 
and  synclinal  folds  of  the  Alleghany  system  ;  thence  the  belt 
of  uplands  is  continued  north  east  to  the  Potomac,  along  the 
west  face  of  the  east  Front  Ridge  of  the  Alleghany.  The  height 
of  this  varies  from  about  3,000  feet  in  the  south,  to  3,200  and 
2,500  in  the  north. 

All  along  this  belt,  and  spreading  east  and  west  from  it,  we 
have  the  largest  amount  of  coniferous  timber  to  be  found  in 
the  State.  In  the  southern  portion,  on  the  Flat-Top  and 
White  Oak  mountain,  vast  forests,  consisting  mainly  of  White 
Oak  are  to  be  found,  and  this  has  given  the  name  to  the  moun 
tains  last  mentioned.  This  White  Oak  timber  spreads  over 
the  east  face  of  these  mountains  in  Mercer,  and  covers  the 
Black  Oak  mountains  in  that  county.  Hemlock  Spruce 
grows  here  also,  as  elsewhere,  in  the  Icwer  levels,  occupying 
the  notches  in  the  mountains  and  the  hollows  along  streams, 


148  RESOURCES   OF    WEST   VIRGINIA. 

along  with  the  Beech,  while  the  Chesnut  Oak  is  found  on  th« 
ridges,  its  usual  place. 

There  is  considerable  body  of  White  Pine  on  Blue  Stone 
river,  near  the  borders  of  Summers  and  Mercer  counties,  form 
ing  the  southern  extremity  of  a  somewhat  important  belt  of 
this  timber,  which  extends  towards  New  river  on  the  east 
side  of  Rale;gh  county,  along  Glade  and  Piney  creeks.  The 
tree  here,  from  its  more  southerly  position,  does  not  attain 
the  size  found  further  north.  The  timber,  besides,  is  not  so 
good,  the  wood  being  heavier  and  harder.  This,  so  far  as  we 
know,  is  the  most  southerly  position  in  which  any  body  of 
White  Pine  is  found.  We  find  mixed  with  the  White  Pine 
of  this  belt  some  Yellow  Pine,  and  Black  or  Pitch  Pine. 

Passing  northward  along  the  Plateau  region,  in  the  vicin 
ity  of  Big  Sewell,  and  in  the  western  part  of  Greenbrier,  the 
Sugar  Maple  is  very  abundant,  and  more  to  the  north,  on  the 
flat  tops  of  the  mountains,  the  White  Birch  and  White  Ma 
ple,  with  scattering  Oak  and  Chestnut,  predominate  until  we 
reach  the  "  Yew  Pine  district,"  as  the  natives  call  it.  This 
extends  from  the  north  end  of  Greenbrier  along  the  boundary 
line  between  Pocahontas  and  Webster,  and  some  distance  into 
Randolph  along  the  head  waters  of  the  Elk  and  Gauley. 

Mr.  Cecil  Clay,  of  the  St,  Lawrence  B,  and  Mfg.  Co.,  says,  of 
this  country  : 

"  As  you  go  west  from  the  valley  of  the  Greenbrier  river 
"  towards  the  mountains,  the  timber,  instead  of  running  out 
"  towards  their  tops,  frequently  grows  larger  and  better  than 
"  lower  down.  Sugar  Maple,  Birch,  Ash,  and  Cherry  flourish, 
"and,  in  places,  fine  Tulip  trees.  On  the  mountain  tope 
"  dense  forests  of  Black  Spruce  (Abies  nigra),  are  found.  This 
"  tree,  called  by  the  natives  "Yew  Pine,"  would  cut  often  over 
"  20,000  feet  to  the  acre.  [The  size  of  the  trees  has  been  des 
cribed  under  the  head  of  this  tree. — Author.'] 

"  Along  the  main  Gauley  river,  Williams  river,  Cranberry 
"  river,  and  farther  south,  Cherry  river,  is  a  tract  of  country 
"  30  miles  long  and  25  miles  wide,  which  is  a  perfect  wil- 
"  derness.  The  streams  are  exceedingly  rough,  and  the 
"  mountains  high,  and  almost  no  cleared  land  exists,  The 
"  land,  however,  often  produces  good  grass  when  cleared  of  the 
"  timber  (as  does  most  of  our  forest  land).  The  principal 


RESOURCES   OF   WEST   VIRGINIA.  149 

"timber  is  Beach,  Sugar,  Maple,  Cherry,  Ash,  Poplar,  and 
"  farther  South,  Oak.  Sometimes  dense  strips  of  large  Hem- 
"  locks,  grow  along  the  streams  and  millions  of  feet  of  Black 
"  Spruce  are  found  higher  up  on  the  hillsides  and  mountain 
"  tops. 

Col.  Byrne,  speaking  of  this  region,  says  the  Oak  hardly 
ever  appears  here,  and  we  may  say  the  same  in  this  higher 
region  of  the  Poplar  and  Hickory.  On  Cherry  river,  a  branch 
of  the  Gauley,  the  Cherry  tree  abounds  as  you  ascend  the  Yew 
mountains.  This  tree  is  also  found  in  considerable  quantity 
on  Cranberry  and  Williams  rivers,  and  the  headwaters  of  the 
Elk.  This  association  of  the  Cherry  with  the  coniferous  trees 
of  the  plateau  and  mountain  regions,  is  also  found  farther 
north,  in  the  Canaan  district  of  Tucker  and  Grant.  The 
greater  portion  of  the  Cherry  timber  of  the  State,  is  found  in 
the  belt  we  are  now  describing. 

Southeast  and  south  of  the  u  Yew  Pine  District,"  on  the 
Greenbrier  and  its  tributaries  in  Pocahontas,  and  Greenbrier 
counties,  we  have  the  largest  body  of  White  Pine  and  the 
finest  timber  of  this  kind  in  the  Sta^te.  A  detailed  descrip 
tion  of  the  character  of  this  timber  in  this  section,  has  been 
given  nnder  the  head  of  the  "  White  Pine,"  among  the  trees. 
Mixed  with  this  White  Pine,  is  some  Yellow  and  Scrub  Pine, 
also  some  Hemlock,  while  large  Chestnut  Oaks  cover  the 
sunny  mountain  sides.  About  Droop  mountain  we  find  Wal 
nut  and  some  Poplai. 

Still  farther  north,  the  branches  of  Cheat  river,  in  the  East 
ern  part  of  Tucker,  especially  the  Black  Fork  of  Cheat,  are 
covered  by  dense  forests  of  Hemlock  Spruce  and  Black  Spruce, 
the  leaves  of  which  have  given  the  Black  Fork  the  dark  color, 
to  which  it  owes  its  name.  The  belt  of  country  from  South 
ern  Randolph  to  Grant,  adjacent  to,  and  on  the  west 
side  of  the  Alleghany  Front  Ridge,  is  a  vast  forest 
with  the  Hemlock  and  Black  Spruces  predominating,  but 
with  large  amounts  of  valuable  species  of  deciduous  trees. 
Diss  Debar  says  of  this  belt :  "  The  finest  specimens  of  Hem 
lock  abound  in  the  Cheat  and  Greenbrier  mountains,  and 
u  on  the  table-lands  of  Tucker,  Randolph,  Pendletun,  Poca- 
"  hontas,  Nicholas  and  Webster.  Here,  also,  neither  Oak, 
"  Poplar  nor  Hickory  are  to  be  found,  but  in  their  room  thrive 


150  RESOURCES   OF   WEST    VIRGINIA. 

"  noble  specimens  of  Sugar  Maple,  Ash,  Beech,  Birch,  Wild 
"  Cherry,  and  Black  Walnut.  Some  of  the  two  latter,  meas- 
"  uring  4  and  5  feet,  and  exceptionally  even  6  and  7  feet 
"  in  diameter.  From  the  Staunton  and  Parkersburg  turn- 
"  pike,  near  the  head  of  the  Greenbrier  river,  toward  the 
"north,  south,  and  east  stretch  upwards  of  150,000  acres  of 
"  the  finest  forests  in  the  State,  scarcely  broken  by  less  than 
"50  scattered  mountain  farms." 

Mr.  Guerard,  Assistant  to  the  State  Board  of  Centennial 
Managers,  says  of  the  Hemlock  of  this  district,  that  many  of 
the  trees  are  130  feet  high,  and  4  feet  in  diameter,  and  of  the 
other  woods,  that  they  are  not  surpassed  in  the  State. 

In  the  higher  parts  of  the  lofty  country  in  Pocahontas,  and 
the  adjoining  counties,  the  Southern  Balsam  Fir,  (Abies  Fra- 
seri),  occurs  mixed  with  the  Black  Spruce.  It  is  stated  that 
a  considerable  body  of  it,  is  found  in  the  high  region,  between 
Randolph  and  Pocahontas,  at  the  source  of  the  East  Fork  of 
Greenbrier  river. 

In  Pendleton,  some  White  Pine  occurs,  and  on  the  South 
Branch  mountain,  in  Hardy  county,  a  good  deal  of  excellent 
White  Oak  and  some  good  White  Pine  is  found. 

The  parallel  mountain  ridges,  abutting  on  the  Potomac  in 
Mineral,  Hampshire  and  Morgan,  are  clothed  with  a  mixture 
of  a  great  variety  of  trees,  among  which,  besides  the  usual 
hard-wood  trees,  there  is  a  good  deal  of  coniferous  wood,  com 
posed  of  Hemlock  Spruce,  Black  Spruce,  Yellow  Pine,  Pitch 
Pine,  and  some  White  Pine,  the  Evergreens  predominating  in 
the  higher  and  colder  parts. 

On  the  Greenbrier  river,  on  the  eastern  side  especially,  we 
find  hard  wood  again  predominating  on  account  of  the  com 
parative  lowness  of  the  country  (1,800  to  2,000  feet).  In  the 
hills  and  ridges,  between  the  Alleghany  mountains,  and  the 
river,  we  find  a  good  deal  of  Oak,  especially  Chestnut  Oak, 
which  exists  in  quantities  sufficient  to  furnish  a  large 
amount  of  tan-bark.  There  is  a  good  deal  of  good  White  Oak 
all  along  the  east  side  of  the  river. 

It  is  interesting  to  note  the  effect  of  altitude,  and  the  conse 
quent  temperature,  on  the  character  of  the  timber.  The  decid 
uous  trees  attain  their  maximum  developments  in  numbers, 
size,  and  quality,  in  the  lower  portions  of  the  State,  where 


RESOURCES  OF   WEST   VIRGINIA.  151 

they  almost  exclude  the  evergreens  or  conifers.  As  we  as 
cend  the  plateau,  the  former  gradually  diminish  with  the 
the  increasing  height  in  numbers,  and  size,  while  the  latter 
begin  to  come  in  greater  force.  It  must  be  borne  in  mind, 
however,  that  in  our  latitude  the  altitude  above  tide,  is 
nowhere  great  enough,  entirely  to  exclude  deciduous  timber. 
In  the  southern  part  of  the  State,  in  spite  of  the  increased 
altitude,  we  find  the  oaks  and  other  hardwood  trees  maintain 
ing  their  supremacy  over  the  lofty  slopes  of  the  Great  Flat 
Top,  and  other  mountains,  owing  to  the  more  southerly  lati 
tude.  As  we  advance  north,  it  is  only  in  the  lofty  ranges  along 
the  west  side  of  Pocahontas,  where  the  general  level  is  the 
highest  west  of  the  Alleghany.  that  we  find  any  great  body  of 
conifers. 

DEVELOPMENT. 

The  following  are  the  timbers  which  have  received  the  most 
attention  :  White  Oak,  Poplar,  Walnut,  White  Pine,  Cherry, 
Ash,  Locust,  Chestnut  Oak,  Chestnut,  Sycamore.  The  form  in 
which  the  timber  is  sent  out  depends  largely  on  the  kind  of 
transportation  available.  On  the  railroads  and  small  streams? 
the  weight  and  bulk  are  reduced  as  much  as  possible,  by  par 
tial  or  complete  manufacture,  while  on  the  larger  streams  and 
those  which  in  floods  give  water  enough,  the  timber  is  mainly 
cut  into  logs,  and  made  up  into  rafts,  which  are  floated  down 
on  the  high  waters,  either  to  markets  in  other  States,  or  to 
points  within  our  own  borders,  which  are  favorably  situated 
for  cutting  them  up  into  forms  suited  for  more  distant  trans 
portation,  or  for  manufacture  on  the  spot. 

As  almost  none  of  the  streams  have  received  any  improve 
ment,  the  amount  of  development  in  the  State  at  large,  is  ex 
ceedingly  small.  A  vast  deal  of  fine  timber,  remote  from  the 
railroads  and  streams,  and  much  that  is  within  striking  dis 
tance  of  them,  is  annually  wasted  by  being  girdled  and  left  to 
decay  standing,  or  by  being  burnt  in  logheaps.  In  some  sec 
tions  u  worm  fences  "  are  made  out  of  the  most  valuable  Wal 
nut  and  Cherry  trees,  the  sole  question  being,  to  get  a  timber 
easy  to  split. 

On  the  eastern  boarder  of  the  State,  the  only  development 
taking  place,  is  in  the  White  Pine  along  the  Greenbrier  river, 
and  this  is  carried  on  by  a  single  company.  The  St.  Lawrence 


152  RESOURCES  OF    WEST    VIRGINIA. 

Boom  and  Manufacturing  Company,  controlled  by  Pennsylva 
nia  capitalists,  of  which  Mr.  Cecil  Clay  is  President,  has  a 
charter  for  operating  the  river,  and  is  engaged  in  improving 
its  navigation.  The  spring  floods  now,  give  them  water 
enough  to  run  rafts  of  100  to  150  feet  in  length.  Logging  can 
be  done  very  cheaply  in  this  country,  for  the  surface  is  smooth, 
and  supplies  for  men  and  forage  for  teams,  are  abundant  around 
the  camps. 

This  timber  region  can  readily  be  reached  from  the  Chesa 
peake  and  Ohio  Railroad,  from  Milboro,  Covington,  or  Ronce- 
verte.  This  latter  place  has,  according  to  Mr.  Clay,  fine  nat 
ural  advantages  for  the  concentration  of  the  lumber  business 
of  the  Greenbrier  Valley.  Timber  can  be  had  in  the  river 
suited  for  the  manufacture  of  cars,  wagons,  agricultural  imple 
ments,  furniture,  woodenware,  pump  stocks,  and  for  planing 
purposes. 

Lumber  can  be  delivered  in  Cincinnati  so  as  to  compete 
with  the  Michigan  pine,  and  in  Philadelphia  so  as  to  cost  less 
than  the  Pennsylvania  timber.  A  large  market  can  be  had 
both  ways. 

The  St.  Lawrence  Boom  and  Manufacturing  Company,  has 
a  paid  up  capital  of  $60,000,  which  is  increased  as  needed,  and 
owns  and  controls  100,000,000  feet  of  White  Pine  timber  in 
Greenbrier  and  Pocahontas  counties.  It  has  a  boom  of  several 
millions  of  feet  capacity,  and  uses  splash  dams  and  tramways 
in  its  logging.  In  times  of  ordinary  prosperity,  a  good  busi 
ness  might  be  done  in  square  timber,  Oak,  etc.  Mr.  Clay 
thinks  that  there  are  several  million  dollars  worth  of  timber 
'standing,  on  the  Greenbrier  river.  He  says  that  they  are  now 
offered  842.00  per  M,  Michigan  inspection,  for  timber  delivered 
in  Philadelphia. 

On  the  headwaters  of  the  Elk  and  Gauley  nothing  has  been 
or  is  being  done  to  develop  that  heavily  timbered  section. 
Webster  county  has  sent  some  logs  from  her  western  borders 
down  Elk.  No  timber  comes  out  of  the  splendid  forests  on  the 
upper  waters  of  the  Cheat.  This  magnificent  timber  has  never 
been  touched.  In  the  counties  along  the  Potomac,  the  timber 
is  mainly  cut  by  saw  mills  within  the  district.  Some  Yellow 
and  Pitch  Pine  is  sawed  and  sent  East.  The  most  attention 
is  paid  to  the  hard  woods  for  the  smaller  manufactures,  for 


RESOURCES   OF   WEST   VIRGINIA.  153 

cooperage  stuff,  straps,  tanbark,  railroad  ties,  etc.,  etc.  Of  the 
the  latter,  the  Balltimore  and  Ohio  Railroad  consumes  a  great 
many. 

Of  the  general  development  of  the  timber  in  the  central  and 
western  parts  of  the  State.  Diss  Debar  speaks  in  1870,  as 
follows : 

"  The  lumber  trade  in  West  Virginia  has  been  among  the 
"  earliest  vocations  of  the  pioneers,  who  settled  on  navigable 
"  or  raftable  streams.  In  the  absence  of  anything  like  a  reli- 
"  able  record  of  the  business,  some  idea  of  its  extent  may  be 
"  found  from  the  fact  that  streams  like  the  Little  Kanawha, 
11  Guyandotte,  or  Big  Sandy  rivers,  respectively,  bring  down, 
"  logs  in  rafts  to  the  aggregate  value  of  from  840,000  to  $50,000 
"  at  a  single  rise.  Up  to  this  date  rafting  and  floating  have  been 
"  confined  to  the  larger  streams  and  tributaries.  Yet  the  floating 
a  of  single  logs,  and  small  rafts,  is  practicable  from  five  to  six 
"  miles  below  the  source  of  almost  any  stream  west  of  a  line 
"  of  rapids,  extending  from  the  Valley  Falls  in  Taylor  county, 
"  to  the  Kentucky  line,  and  crossing  Elk  river  eight  or  ten 
"  miles  above  the  mouth  of  Holly,  the  Little  Kanawha  at 
"  Bulltown,  and  the  Great  Kanawha,  at  the  Great  Falls  in  the 
"  county  of  Fayette.  East  of  that  line,  the  rapidity  and  tor- 
u  tuousness  of  the  streams,  and  the  protruding  rocks  and 
"  boulders  in  their  beds,  interfere  more  or  less  with  the  safety 
"  of  rafts,  though  single  logs  are  floated  down  without  much 
"  trouble,  and  then  caught  and  rafted  in  the  stiller  waters  below.  . 

"  Not  only  timber  in  the  log,  but  staves  and  sawed  lumber, 
u  green  and  seasoned,  are  floated  down  the  principal  streams 
"  in  good  sized  boats.  From  counties  as  far  inland  as. Lewis, 
"  Gilmer,  Braxton,  Calhoun,  Roane,  Nicholas,  Fayette, 
"  Raleigh,  Wyoming,  and  McDowell,  and  the  counties  below 
"  (west  of)  them,  boats  with  gunwales  hewed  out  from  a 
"  single  Poplar,  over  100  feet  in  length,  are  brought  down  in 
u  ordinary  freshets  without  difficulty.  Smaller  sized  boats 
"  descend  Fishing  creek,  Middle  Island,  and  Sand  creek,  from 
"  points  within  10  miles  of  their  uppermost  source. 

"  As  late  as  10  years  ago,  seven-eights  of  the  lumber  con- 

"  sumed  in  the   State  and   exported,  were   manufactured  by 

"  water  power  but  since  then,  portable  and  stationary  steam 

"  saw  mills  have  rapidly  increased.       Along  both  branches  of 

20 


154  RESOURCES    OF    WEST    VIRGINIA. 

<l  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  railroad,  from  20  to  30  first-class 
"  mills  are  cutting  on  an  average  8,000  feet  per  day.  This  pro- 
"  duct  consists  of  flooring,  scantling,  furniture  stuff,  ship  and 
a  railroad  timber,  for  eastern  and  western  markets,  the  Rail- 
"  road  Company  itself  being  an  important  customer.  Many 
"  of  these  mills  possess  a  capacity  of  10,000  feet  per  day, 
"  which  maximum  is  seldom  reached,  for  want  of  adequate 
"  force  to  supply  logs  and  take  care  of  thet  lumber.  Large 
"  mills  are  also  in  operation  on  the  Ohio  and  its  principal 
"  West  Virginia  tributaries. 

"  A  company  of  enterprising  Pennsylvanians,  with  a  capi- 
"  tal  of  $300,000,  are  now  engaged  in  developing  80,000  acres 
"  of  land  in  Braxton  and  Webster  counties,  with  saw  mills, 
"  planing  mills,  and  business  headquarters  at  Charleston,  on 
u  the  Great  Kanawha.  One  of  the  first  operations  of 
"  this  company,  was  the  shipping  by  river  to  Park- 
"  ersburg,  and  thence  by  rail  to  Baltimore,  10,000  feet  of 
"  Black  Walnut  plank,  which,  notwithstanding  expensive 
•;  freight  over  a  distance  of  050  miles,  yielded  a  handsome 
"  profit.  Immense  quantities  of  dressed  and  seasoned  staves 
"  are  shipped  along  the  line  of  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  Rail- 
u  road,  for  coopering  in  Baltimore,  and  as  far  north  as  Massa- 
11  chusetts,  while  several  factories  along  the  line  of  the  road 
':  are  turning  out  from  150  to  200  barrels  per  day. 

"  Staves  are  being  made  almost  at  the  very  source  of  the 
"  streams  flowing  towards  the  railroad  and  the  Ohio  river-, 
"floated  down  loosely  in  times  of  freshets,  and  caught  by 
11  booms  at  convenient  points. 

"  The  development  of  ship  timber  is  receiving  much  atten- 
"  tion  just  now,  along  the  line  of  the  railroad,  and  late  orders 
u  from  abroad  have  disclosed  the  fact  that  not  only  Oak,  but 
"  other  kinds  of  West  Virginia  timber  were  in  demand  for 
"  that  purpose,  as  for  instance : 

"  White  Oak,  for  keels,  planking,  beams,  knees,  floors  and 
11  ceilings. 

"  Ash,  for  blocks,  oars,  etc. 

"  Hickory,  for  capstan  bars  and  handspikes. 

u  Sugar  Maple,  for  keels,  or  bottom  plank. 

"  Beech,  Red  preferred,  for  frames,  planking,  &c. 

"  Poplar,  for  cabinet  work. 


RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA.  155 

u  White  Oak  knees  bring  higher  prices  in  proportion  to 
ki  to  post,  than  any  other  class  of  ship  timber,  and  will  amply 
u  repay  hauling  on  country  roads  to  the  station,  over  15  or  20 
"  miles.  Thousands  of  limbs  and  tops,  admirably  shaped  for 
"  knees,  are  thoughtlessly  destroyed  in  our  clearings  every 
"  year. 

''  Hoop-poles  are  among  the  primitive  commodities  exported 
"  from  West  Virginia,  and  being  speedily  renewed  from  the 
u  root  or  stump,  the  supply  is  almost  inexhaustible,  so  long 
"  as  the  grubbing-hoe  is  kept  out  of  the  woods. 

"  Wagon  and  carriage  stuff  is  beginning  to  be  manufac- 
"  tured  for  exportation,  at  various  points  on  the  railroad. 

•"  The  prejudice  heretofore  prevailing  in  favor  of  Connecticut 
u  Hickory,  is  rapidly  waning,  to  judge  from  the  large  orders 
u  now  being  received  for  West  Virginia  spokes,  &c.  An  occa- 
"  sional  survey  of  the  Railroad  Depot  at  Parkersburg,  when 
"  filled  with  tons  of  wagons,  carriages,  plough-beams,  furni- 
"  ture,  and  twenty  other  articles  of  wooden-ware,  manufac- 
ik  tured  from  West  Virginia  timber,  outside  of  the  State,  and 
''  westward  bound,  give  a  faint  idea  of  what  is  continally  lost 
''  through  our  lack  of  manufacturing  enterprise." 

After  this  general  statement,  we  may  give  some  facts  illus 
trating  the  present  and  prospective  development  of  particular 
points  in  the  central  and  western  parts  of  the  State. 

In  the  northern  part  of  the  State,  almost  the  entire  devel 
opment  is  by  means  of  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  railroad.  All 
along  the  main  stem,  and  the  Parkersburg  branch  of  this  road, 
are  numerous  mills  and  manufactories,  whose  business  is 
almost  entirely  in  cooperage  stuff  and  sawed  lumber,  and 
whose  aggregate  sales  cannot  be  less  than  $2,500,000  annually. 
We  will  first  mention  some  of  the  more  important  points 
along  the  line  of  this  road,  where  lumber  is  received  and 
shipped. 

Cranberry  Summit  is  the  center  of  a  consider  lumber  busi 
ness,  consisting  in  its  collection  and  preparation  for  ship 
ment. 

At  Rowlesburg,  where  the  railroad  crosses  Cheat  river,  is 
another  center.  As  we  have  stated,  Cheat  is  entirely  unde 
veloped  at  present.  Diss  Debar  says  that  main  Cheat,  for 
some  20  to  25  miles  above  the  railroad,  and  the  Black  Fork  of 


156  RESOURCES   OF   WEST   VIRGINIA. 

Cheat,  have  been  to  some  extent  developed,  15  years  ago,  for 
ship  timber,  for  the  English  market,  bv  a  company  whose 
mill-works  were  located  at  Rowlesburg.  It  would  certainly 
seem  that  at  no  distant  day  the  vast  amount  of  timber,  trib 
utary  to  this-stream,  would  induce  capitalists  to  open  it  up  by 
tram  railroads,  booms  and  splash  dams.  Cheat  would,  in  tan- 
bark  and  coniferous  timber,  furnish  supplies  equal  to  any 
demand. 

At  Graf  ton,  we  find  a  lumber  center  which  is  just  in  the 
first  stages  of  development.  All  the  timber  brought  by  Ty- 
gart's  Valley  river  to  this  point,  must  of  necessity  be  put  in 
shape  at  this  point,  to  allow  transportation  on  the  railroad. 
At  this  point  there  is  a  boom  erected,  and  Mr.  Whitescarver 
says  of  it.  "  In  last  June  (1875),  there  were  12,000,000  feet  of 
"  lumber  in,  consisting  of  Popular,  Oak,  Ash,  Chestnut,  Wal- 
"  Spruce  Pine  (Hemlock  Spruce),  and  Cherry,  but  mainly  Poplar 
'  and  Oak.  The  boom  is  supplied  from  Taylor,  Barbour,  Pres- 
"  ton,  Randolph,  andUpshur.  In  Taylor  and  Barbour,  Poplar, 
"  Oak,  Ash,  and  Walnut;  in  Randolph  and  Upshur,  Poplar, 
"  Oak,  Cherry,  Walnut,  Ash.  and  Pine,  are  the  principal  tim- 
"  bers.  Hickory  is  plentiful  in  all  the  counties.  The  area  of 
"  country  that  supplies  the  boom  at  Grafton,  is  about  100 
u  miles  in  length  by  50  in  width,  all  of  which  is  accessible  to 
u  streams  that  empty  into  the  Valley  river.  The  present  capac- 
"  ity  for  manufacturing  the  timber  into  lumber  in  and  about 
"  Grafton,  is  estimated  at  about  60,000  feet  per  day. 

"  The  Poplar  is  principally  used  in  the  Eastern  markets 
"  for  carriages,  beds,  coffins,  pumps,  and  furniture.  Oak  is 
"  used  for  shook s,  for  railroad,  and  agricultural  implements. 
"  Cherry,  Walnut,  and  Chestnut  is  employed  for  furniture  and 
c*  the  inside  finish  of  houses. 

"  From  Philippi  up,  the  Valley  river,  and  all  of  its  tribu- 
"  taries,  pass  through  an  almost  unbroken  forest." 

At  Valley  Falls,  in  Marion  county,  a  considerable  business 
is  done  in  sawed  lumber  and  cooperage  stuff.  At  Manning- 
ton,  Belton,  and  other  points  on  the  main  stem,  a  considera- 
able  trade  is  done,  and  the  manufactories  in  Wheeling  consume 
a  large  amount. 

On  the^Parkersburg  branch,  between  West  Union  and  Park- 
ersburg,  a  heavy  business  is  done  in  timber  shipment. 


RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA.  157 

Large  amounts  of  sawed  lumber,  ship  timber,  barrel  stuff, 
etc.,  are  shipped  from  various  points  along  the  line  of  this  rail 
road.  Dealers  in  lumber  here,  estimate  that  for  from  five  to 
ten  years  back,  there  have  been  Lent  out  from  Doddridge  county, 
each  year,  more  than  3,000,000  feet  of  hard,  and  2,000,000  feet 
of  soft  lumber,  to  Baltimore  and  the  East,  and  1,000,000  feet, 
westward  down  the  Ohio  river.  Also,  above  5,000,000  Oak 
staves  of  medium  size,  and  5,000,000  hoop  poles,  to  Eastern 
markets;  mainly  to  England.  Harrison  county  has  shipped 
nearly  an  equal  quantity,  while  the  exports  from  Ritchie 
surpass  the  above  amounts. 

More  attention  has  been  paid  here  to  the  development  of  the 
country  along  the  railroad  by  means  of  short  branch  roads. 

The  railroad  from  Pennsboro  to  Harrisville  opens  up  a  good 
deal  of  timber.  Mr.  Bryan,  Assistant  to  the  State  Board,  says 
of  Ritchie,  and  the  adjoining  counties  :  ll  The  amount  of  tim- 
"  her,  barrel  staves,  and  headings,  principally  of  White 
"  Oak  and  Poplar,  taken  out  of  Ritchie  county,  is  enormous- 
"  The  North  and  South  Forks  of  Hughes  river,  and  the  Penns- 
"  boro  and  Harrisville  railroad,  make  the  timber  very  accessi- 
"  ble.  White  Oak  of  the  finest  quality  abounds.  Messrs.  Kim- 
"  ball  and  Shaffer,  of  Pennsboro,  have  had  in  operation  a  stave 
"  and  heading  factory,  for  the  supply  of  their  Baltimore  barrel 
"  factory.  Mr.  K.  says  that  in  1875,  he  shipped  from  Penns- 
"  boro  to  Baltimore,  8800,000  worth  of  stuff  for  barrels." 
Again,  of  Calhotin,  Mr.  Bryan  says: 

"  The  timber  of  this  county  is  splendid.  The  Little  Kana- 
"  wha,  West  Fork,  Steer  creek,  and  minor  streams,  have 
"  enabled  the  people  to  take  out  in  rafts,  a  large  amount  of  the 
u  finest  logs,  but  the  timber  is  hardly  missed  a  mile  or  two 
"  from  the  streams.  The  traffic  in  staves,  as  in  Ritchie  and 
"  Wirt,  is  enormous.  Few  hoop  poles  are  now  gotten  out  here, 
"  but  vast  numbers  are  taken  from  Ritchie  and  Wirt.  The 
"  Oak  timber  is  gotten  for  barrel  and  tierce  staves,  and  head- 
"  ings.  As  this  timber  does  not  float  well,  Poplar  and  Walnut 
"  are  the  principal  trees  put  in  logs  and  rafts.  Staves,  head- 
' "  ings,  and  all  manner  of  sawed  stuff  are  run  out  on  high 
"  water  in  flat  boats.  These  same  remarks  apply  to  all  the 
"  counties  between  the  railroad  and  the  Big  Kanawha.  Ritchie 
"  has  the  most  White  Oak. 


158  RESOURCES   OF    WEST  VIRGINIA. 

"  In  Wirt  county,  one  Ohio  firm  got  out,  in  1875,  10,000,- 
"  000  staves.  Trees  are  often  sold  on  the  stump  for  $1.  or 
"  belted  and  allowed  to  die. 

"  A  good  deal  ol  Poplar  from  Braxton,  is  cut  at  Elizabeth, 
"  Wirt  county,  and  at  Burnsville,  in  Braxton  county,  the 
"  Messrs.  Burns  &  Co.,  have  a  fifty-horse  power  engine,  and 
"  one  of  the  largest  saw  mills  in  the  State.  They  do  a  large 
"  business,  mainly  in  hard  wood,  Walnut,  &c.,  and  cut 
"  immense  amounts  of  Poplar,  &c.,  and  run  it  out  on  floods  in 
"  flat  boats,  on  the  Little  Kanawha. 

"  The  branches  of  the  Little  Kanawha,  afford  development 
"  for  the  timber  of  Gilmer.  Here  logs  under  2J  feet  are  rarely 
u  cut  or  hauled,  except  for  staves." 

A  good  deal  of  the  White  Oak,  tight-work  staves,  pipe, 
hogshead,  and  claret  staves  go  to  Europe  from  this  region, 
and  a  great  many  Red  Oak  staves  are  used  for  the  West  India 
trade.  Schooners  are  chartered  "to  N.  side  or  S.  side  of  Cuba 
ki  and  return,"  at  so  much,  and  are  then  loaded  with  shooks 
and  hoops,  and  bring  back  sugar  and  molasses. — (Clay). 

Mr.  R.  T.  Lowndes,  of  Clarksburg,  says  of  the  timber  of 
Doddridge,  <fcc.:  "  We-have  a  tram  road  20  miles  long,  run- 
'•  ning  through  the  S.  E.  portion  of  Doddridge  county,  for 
"  the  purpose  of  bringing  the  timber  to  market.  It  drains 
vt  that  section  of  Doddridge,  and  a  part  of  Harrison,  Lewis, 
"  and  Gilmer.  Our  woods  consist  nearly  altogether  of  Oak 
t%  and  Poplar,  for  commercial  purposes.  We  have  some  Wal- 
'•'  nut  and  Locust,  and  a  large  amount  of  Beech,  Hickory,  Syc- 
'•  amore,  Sugar,  and  several  varieties  of  Pine.  The  Oak  is 
"  generally  shipped  in  coopers'  stuff,  railroad  lumber  and' 
u  ship  timber ;  the  roots  and  crotches  for  ship-knees  and 
"  names.  The  Red  and  Chestnut  Oak  is  used  for  bark,  shook 
"  staves,  ties,  &c.  Our  Poplar  is  generally  shipped  in  lum- 
"  ber,  as  chair  plank,  panel  boards,  &c.,  sometimes  in  the  log. 
''  Our  Yellow  Poplar  is  much  sought  after  by  the  furniture 
u  manufacturers,  and  when  prime  and  well  seasoned,  com-- 
'•  mands  good  prices. 

a  But  the  White  Oak  is  our  princpal  timber,  and  is  very 
"  fine.  There  is  a  steady  demand  from  Europe  for  it,  but  the 
"  cost  of  handling  is  so  great  that  prices  are  not  remunera- 
u  tive." 


RESOURCES  OF  WEST  VIRGINIA.  159 

Down  the  Ohio,  from  Wetzel  county  to  the  Little  Kaiia- 
wha,  no  large  E.  and  W.  flowing  river  empties  into  the  Ohio, 
but  several  considerable  creeks,  such  as  Middle  Island  and 
Fishing  creeks,  which  bring  in  a  considerable  amount  of  logs 
from  some  distance  inland.  Something  is  done  in  squared 
timber  for  bridge  building,  but  the  main  business  along  the 
river  is  in  sawed  or  cooperage  stuff,  of  which  a  great  deal  is 
handled.  Some  attention  is  also  paid  to  ship  timber,  both 
for  river  boats  and  foreign  markets. 

As  an  illustration  of  the  excellence  of  the  Ohio  river  tim 
ber  for  this  latter  purpose,  we  may  mention  the  fact,  stated  by 
Mr.  C.  T.  Beall,  of  Mason,  that  the  brig  Somers,  distinguished 
in  the  Mexican  war,  was  built  at  the  mouth  of  the  Kanawha, 
by  the  Gilmores,  of  Ma?on  county  lumber. 

When  this  vessel  was  docked  some  8  years  ago,  her  timbers 
were  found  tj  be  sound. 

While  the  bottoms  along  tho  Ohio  are  cleared,  yet  much  of 
the  upland,  a  little  back  of  the  river,  it  still  heavily  tim 
bered. 

In  passing  down  the  Ohio,  the  Little  Kanawha  is  the  first 
stream  reaching  back  a  considerable  distance  towards  the 
Alleghanies.  From  this  river  southward,  the  E.  and  W. 
flowing  tributaries  of  the  Ohio,  are  all  extensive,  and 
eerve  to  develop  considerable  tracts  of  country. 

The  little  Kanawha  develops  a  good  deal  of  the  country- 
described  above  by  Mr.  Bryan,  and  brings  a  vast  amount  of 
railroad  ties,  sawed  stuff,  cooperage  material,  square  timber, 
and  logs,  to  Parkersburg  and  points  on  the  Ohio  river. 

Mr.  L.  B.  Dellicker,  General  Superintendent  of  the  Little 
Kanawha  Navigation  Company,  gives  the  following  as  the 
shipments  of  timber  out  of  the  Little  Kanawha,  from  Janu 
ary  1,  1875,  to  January  1,  1876: 

Four  hundred  and  twenty  log  rafts,  containing  about  504,000 
cubic  feet,  1,816,000  feet  of  manufactured  lumber,  mainly  inch 
boards. 

Three  million  five  hundred  and  fifty-two  thousand  nine 
hundred  and  twenty-seven  oil  barrel  staves. 

Seventy  thousand  one  hundred  and  eighty-four  railroad 
cross-ties. 

Seventeen  thousand  hoop-poles. 

One  hundred  and  seventy-seven  cords  of  keg  wood. 


160  RESOURCES  OF   WEST    VIRGINIA. 

Col.  Byrne  estimates  the  product  of  this  stream  as  follows  : 
The  Burns  Brothers,  at  Burnsvillc,  cut  and  send  to  the  Pitts 
burgh  market,  probably  $50,000  worth  of  boards.  Other  saw 
mills,  between  that  point  and  Parkersburg,  probably  manu 
facture  as  much  more  in  boards,  and  perhaps  $10,000  worth  of 
White  Oak  in  ship  timber,  with  $50,000  worth  of  staves,  or  per 
haps  much  more.  Besides  these  items,  there  are  $50,000  worth 
of  cross-ties,  and  $100,000  worth  of  logs,  mainly  manufac 
tured  at  Parkersburg.  In  all,  $310,000  worth  of  timber,  and 
perhaps  much  more.  The  business  along  the  Ohio  from 
Wheeling  south  to  this  stream,  may  be  as  much,  say  $350,000. 

Omitting  for  the  moment  the  business  on  the  Great  Kana- 
wha  and  the  Chesapeake  and  Ohio  Railroad,  we  may  pass  to 
the  region  south  of  the  last  named  stream. 

The  Big  Sandy,  the  Guyandotte,  and  Twelve  Pole,  are  the 
present  means  of  developing  the  timber  of  the  southern  coun 
ties,  and  drain  an  extensive  area  of  heavily  wooded  country. 
We  have  no  details  of  the  business  done,  but  it  is  known  that 
they  all  do  a  heavy  business  in  logs,  mainly  for  Ohio  river 
markets.  White  Oak  is  largely  manufactured  into  staves. 
Large  numbers  of  hoop  poles  are  cut,  and  a  considerable  amount 
of  tanbark  is  sent  out.  Besides  the  hard  woods,  some  Hemlock 
and  Yellow  Pine  is  sent  West.  It  would  not  be  an  overesti 
mate  perhaps  to  put  the  trade  done  in  these  three  streams  at 
$300,000. 

On  the  Kanawha  river,  the  principal  development  of  tim 
ber  is  from  the  mouth  of  Elk  downwards.  Col.  Byrne  says  of" 
the  business  on  the  Kanawha  and  its  tributaries  :  u  Elk  river 
"  sends  out  $100,000  worth  of  logs,  cut  by  mills  at  and 'near 
"  Charleston,  either  for  use  there  or  for  shipment  down  the 
"  river.  The  White  and  Black  Oak,  are  chiefly  manufactured 
"  into  salt  barrel  staves,  for  use  in  the  vicinity  of  Charleston. 
"  The  mills  there  have  a  capacity  for  producing  1,000  barrels 
•"  per  day.  The  Poplar,  Ash,  Chestnut,  Walnut,  and  other 
'•  kinds,  are  chiefly  manufactured  into  boards,  plank,  and 
"  scantling  at  Charleston  for  the  Cincinnati  and  other  mar-  ' 
"  kets  on  the  river,  after  supplying  the  h/)me  market.  Besides 
u  the  logs,  Elk  sends  out  a  large  number  of  coal  boats,  ($20,000 
"  worth),  for  use  in  shipping  coal  and  salt  from  the  Kanawha 
"  river.  The  manufactured  value  of  Elk  river  timber,  i.  e. 
u  boards,  staves,  hoop  poles,  etc.,  is  at  least  $150,000. 


RESOURCES   OF   WEST   VIRGINIA.  161 

"  The  Great  Kanawha,  from  the  falls  down,  must  produce  as 
"  much  lumber  in  the  shape  of  logs,  staves,  hoop  poles,  boards, 
"  and  ship  timber,  as  the  Elk,  or  $150,000." 

Pocatalico  and  Coal  rivers  contribute  largely  to  this  pro 
duce  of  the  Lower  Kanawha,  Pocatalico  sending  probably 
£20,000  worth.  Coal  river  sends  out  some  fine  Walnut,  which 
goes  to  Europe.  The  Lower  Kanawha  sends  oat  some  fine  Oak 
timber  for  ship  building,  and  a  good  deal  of  pine. 

At  and  near  the  falls  of  the  Great  Kanawha,  and  on  Laurel 
creek,  a  considerable  business  is  done  in  cooperage  stuff  and 
sawed  lumber,  perhaps  $100,000  worth.  Westward  to  Hinton, 
hardly  anything  is  done. 

At  Hinton,  a  good  deal  is  done.  Some  staves* are,  according 
to  Mr.  Clay,  floated  down  from  up  New  river,  caught  at  Hin 
ton  and  shipped  by  rail.  Mr.  J.  S  Thompsen  says  of  the  tim 
ber  trade  of  Hinton:  u Quite  a  large  trade  is  carried  on  here 
"  in  the  lumber  business.  Large  quantities  of 'pipe  staves  of 
11  Oak,  are  shipped  by  rail  to  the  East,  and  several  thousand 
"  Walnut  logs  have  been  shipped  both  to  the  Eastern  markets 
"  and  to  Europe,  from  the  county  within  the  last  18  months. 
"  There  is  a  large  saw  mill  at  this  point,  owned  by  New  York 
"  men,  who  ship  pine  (of  a  fine  quality)  lumber;  also  shingles, 
"  laths,  etc.  They  deal  extensively  also  in  Poplar  lumber  and 
"  and  furnish  the  Chesapeake  and  Ohio  Railroad,  with  rail- 
"  road  ties." 

Besides  the  above  localities,  the  Mononghela  river  in  Manon- 
galia  county,  and  the  West  Fork  from  Harrison,  carry  out 
some  forty  to  fifty  thousand  dollars  worth  of  White  Oak  for 
ship  timber,  and  other  timber  in  logs. 

Taking  everything  into  consideration,  we  may,  without 
exaggeration,  state  that  the  revenue  to  be  derived  for  many 
years  to  come,  from  the  timber  of  West  Virginia  must  equal 
that  to  be  obtained  from  any  other  of  her  resources.  Putting 
her  acreage  in  timber  at  9,000,000,  and  estimating  8,000  feet 
of  boards  to  the  acre,  at  $1.00  per  M.,  a  very  moderate  esti 
mate,  we  have  $72,000,000.  It  is  certain  that  this  State  has 
a  larger  amount  of  surplus  hard  wood  timber,  (and  that  of  the 
most  marketable  kinds),  than  any  other  State  in  the  Union, 
and  that  the  excellence  of  the  material  is  attracting  constantly 
more  and  more  attention. 
21 


CHAPTER  IX. 
THE    COAL    FIELD. 

BY    M.    F.    MAURY. 

Tlie  most  important  coal  region  in  America,  is  the  Appalach 
ian  Coal  Field,  which  is,  says  Rogers,  "almost  the  largest  ex- 
"  panse  of  continuous  coal  measures  in  the  world.  It  possesses 
4i  a  length  of  875  miles,  and  a  maximum  breadth,  between  its 
"  eastern  outcrop  in  southern  Pennsylvania  and  its  western 
u  in  northern  Ohio,  of  about  180  miles/'  It  extends  from 
northern  Pennsylvania  to  middle  Alabama,  parallel  to  the 
Appalachian  chain  to  the  east  of  it.  Its  coals  are  better  than 
those  of  any  other  field  in  America,  and,  save  anthracite,  are 
of  every  kind  necessary  to  the  arts  andinanufactur  -s.  Its  area 
is  made  up  as  follows  : 

West  Virginia 10,000  sqr.  miles. 

Pennsylvania 12,700  "         " 

Ohio 10,000  " 

Eastern  Kentucky 8,<)00  •"         " 

Alabama " 5,000  " 

Tennessee 5,100  "         " 

Man-land...  550  " 


Total 58,550  sqr.  miles. 

Of  these  the  amounts  for  Pennsylvania  and  eastern  Ken 
tucky  are  the  results  of  careful  surveys,  while  the  others  are 
estimates  taken  from  the  best  and  latest  sources  : 

By  the  U.  8.  census  of  1870,  these  States  mined  thetfollowing 
tonnage : 

Alabama 11,000  tons 

Kentucky 150,000     " 

Maryland 1,819,824     " 

Ohio...  2,527,285     " 


RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA.  163 

Pennsylvania 7,798,.MS  tons. 

Tennessee 133,41  K     " 

West  Virginia. 008,878     '• 


Totnl 12,045),5()otons. 

These  tables,  therefore,  show  that  while  West  Virginia  em 
braces  (in  round  numbers)  nearly  28  per  cent  of  the  coal  area, 
it  produces  only  5  per  cent  of  the  coal  mined  therein. 

In  the  absence  of  an  exact  and  definite  location,  the  eastern 
boundary  of  the  West  Virginia  Coal  Field  may  be  described  as 
follows  :  Beginning  at  the  south  on  the  mountain  just  east 
Blue  Stone  river,  and  proceeding  thence  to  Little  Sewell,  on 
the  top  of  which  the  lowest  seam  of  the  lower  measures  may  be 
seen  :  thence,  but  by  not  a  very  clearly  denned  line,  with  the 
common  boundary  of  Nicholas  and  Greenbrier,  and  Webster  and 
Pocahontas,  to  Rich  mountain  in  Randolph;  following  this 
last  named  ridge  to  Laurel  mountain,  the  dividing  line  be 
tween  Upshur  on  the  west  and  Randolph  and  Barbour  on 
the  east;  and  thence  with  the  Briery  mountain  into  Preston 
count}'  and  on  the  Pennsylvania  line.  To  the  east  of  this 
boundary  there  are  small  outlying  patches  of  coal,  (mention 
ed  at  the  end  of  this  chapter),  as  in  Greenbrier  in  Meadow 
mountain,  and  possibly  in  Pocahontas  and  in  some  of  the 
synclinal  valleys  of  Tucker,  but  they  are  unimportant  as 
compared  with  the  vast  area  to  the  west,  and  in  but  few  in 
stances  will  yield  fuel  of  any  value  except  for  local  use.  This 
remark  will  not,  however,  apply  to  the  valuable,  though  small, 
trough  in  Mineral  and  Grant,  which  is  entirely  seperated  by 
sub-carboniferous  strata  from  the  main  West  Virginia  Coal 
Field. 

In  every  county  west  of  the  general  boundary  to  the  Ohio 
river  valuable  coal  will  be  found,  if  not  in  the  hills,  then 
below  the  surface  and  accessible  by  shafting,  so  that  out  of  54 
counties  in  the  State,  only  Monroe,  Pendlcton,  Hardy,  Hamp 
shire,  Morgan,  and  Jefferson,  lack  it  in  toto. 

Before  going  into  a  detailed  account  of  the  field,  it  will  be 
well  to  give  a  general  sketch  thereof,  which  cannot  be  better 
done  than  in  the  following  condensed  description  of  Prof.  W. 
B.  Rogers,  State  Geologist  of  Virginia  from  1836  to  1840,  who 
says,  concerning  it : 


164  RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA. 

From  the  eastern  margin  of  the  coal  field  the  strata  have 
a  general  inclination  to  the  northwest,  so  that  as  we  leave  the 
Alleghany  mountains  the  rocks  belonging  to  the  formations 
below  the  coal  disappear,  and  the  coal  measures  themselves 
in  their  turn  become  buried  as  we  approach  the  Ohio  river  in 
the  region  of  Point  Pleasant,  Parkersburg,  «fcc.,  where  we  find 
on  the  surface  the  Upper  Barren  Measures — the  highest  mem 
ber  of  the  coal  formation — consisting  of  shales,  slates  and  sand 
stone,  either  destitute  of  coal,  or  contaning  it  in  variable  and 
unimportant  beds  as  compared  to  the  richer  portions  of  the 
field.  These  gently  sloping  strata,  thus  gradually  depressed, 
again  rise  to  the  surface  as  we  proceed  still  further  west,  thus 
bringing  into  view  over  a  wide  and  affluent  belt  of  country  in 
Ohio  the  counterparts  of  the  lost  coal  seams  and  their  associ 
ated  strata,  in  the  reverse  order  in  which  they  had  been  seen 
to  disappear  in  West  Virginia  some  distance  east  of  the  Ohio. 

As  necessary  to  the  general  picture  of  this  wide-spread  series 
rocks,  it  may  be  added  that  beyond  this  belt  of  productive  coal 
measures  in  Ohio,  as  we  ascend  to  the  valley  of  the  Scioto,  we 
come  into  view  of  a  group  of  underlying,  easterly-dipping 
sandstones,  slates  and  limestones,  corresponding  to  the  sub- 
carboniferous  formations  ot  the 'Alleghanies,  so  that,  leaving 
out  all  the  undulations  on  the  eastern  side  of  the  tract,  we  are 
presented  with  the  imposing  scene  of  a  vast  synclinal  trough  or 
basin,  spreading  from  the  eastern  escarpment  of  the  coal  rocks 
in  West  Virginia  entirely  across  the  largest  portion  of  that 
State  and  the  eastern  half  of  Ohio,  and  terminating  there  in  a 
similar  escarpment,  in  which  the  rocks  are  seen  inclining  to 
the  east,  to  meet  their  counterparts  dipping  in  the  opposite 
direction  in  West  Virginia.  It  is  a  little  west  of  the  center 
line  of  this  basin  that  the  Ohio  river  pursues  its  course  for 
most  of  the  distance,  for  which  it  forms  the  western  boundary 
of  our  State. 

But  another  feature  has  yet  be  introduced  to  complete  the 
general  outline  of  this  interesting  region.  The  eastern  and 
western  margins  of  this  basin,  though  nearly  parallel  about 
midway  of  its  length,  gradually  approach  each  other  as  they 
extend  towards  the  north,  and  thus  bending  around,  the  for 
mer  in  Pennsylvania  and  the  latter  in  Ohio,  at  length  actually 
coalesce  and  form  the  head  or  northern  termination  of  the 


RESOURCES   OF   WEST    VIRGINIA.  166 

trough.  As  a  result  of  this  configuration,  the  various  coal 
seams  of  the  whole  area  may  be  looked  upon  as  a  basin  made 
up  of  a  series  of  oblong,  shallow  bowls,  whose  longer  diamters 
run  N.  E.  and  S.  W.,  fitting  one  within  the  other  and  inter- 
stratified  with  shales,  sandstones,  &c.  From  the  various  por 
tions  of  the  margins  thieve  would  therefore  dip  towards  a  com 
mon  axis,  so  that  along  the  northern  edge  of  the  basin  the 
coals  would  have  an  inclination  south,  and  as  we  follow  the 
rim  through  West  Virginia  to  Kentucky,  first  a  S.  S.  W.,  then 
S.  W.,  W.  S.  W,  W.,  W.  N.  W.,  X.  W..  &c.,  dip  would  obtain. 

Fortunately  for  the  resources  of  the  valuable,  though  small 
tract,  between  Pennsylvania  and  Ohio,  in  which  are  the  coun- 
tie^  of  Hancock,  Brooke,  Ohio,  and  Marshall,  known  as  the 
"Panhandle,"  this  northern  termination  of  the  trough  takes 
place  at  no  great  distance  from  where  our  State  begins;  so 
that  the  Ohio,  in  its  western  course  along  the  margin  of  that 
tract,  intersects  the  southerly  dipping  strata  in  a  direction 
highly  favorable  for  the  developement  of  their  rich  mineral 
contents. 

Bearing  this  illustration  in  mind,  it  will  at  once  be  seen  that 
a  river  that  runs  through  this  basin  will  first  pass  over  one 
edge,  will  then  flow  through  its  center,  and  finally  cut  the 
opposite  edge,  and  if,  as  is  the  ca^e  with  the  Ohio,  it  enters 
near  one  end  and  flows  nearly  along  the  central  axis,  it  will 
first  cut  the  edges  of  the  lowest  bowl^,  and  then  higher  and 
higher  ones,  till  finally  all  will  be  exposed  by  it.  Fur 
ther,  if  in  the  course  of  this  passage,  it  deviates  from  a 
straight  line,  so  as  to  run  W.  or  N.  W.,  it  will  go  into  lower 
strata,  or  outer  bowls,  and  if  it  then  deflects  back  to  its  orig 
inal  position,  near  the  axis,  it  will  come  into  higher  strata,  or 
inner  bowls.  This  cutting  of  the  successive  strata  is  very 
well  shown  along  the  whole  river  front  of  the  State,  for 
beginning  at  the  northern  extremity,  near  the  mouth  of 
Little  Beaver,  the  Ohio  flows  in  the  lower  part  of  the  Lower 
Coal  Measures,  the  outcrop  of  which  is  further  towards  the 
north.  Thence,  descending  the  river,  the  inclination  of  the 
rocks  being  towards  the  south,  these  lower  coals  pass  below 
the  bed  of  the  stream,  and  at  the  tops  of  the  hills  at  Steuben- 
ville,  the  lowest  coal  seam  of  the  Upper  Coal  Measures^  makes 
its  first  appearance.  The  southerly  dip  still  continuing,  this 


166  RESOURCES   OF   WEST    VIRGINIA. 

seam,  as  we  proceed  down  the  river,   comes  nearer  and  nearer 
the  water,  till  a  short  distance  helow  Wheeling,  it  also  disap 
pears,  and  the  superior  strata  come  lower  and  lower  in  the 
hills,  till  Fishing  creek,  in  the    southwest  corner  of  Wetzel 
county,  is  reached.     The  river  is  here  a  little  west  of  the  axis, 
or    center,    of  the    basin,  and  is    therefore   in  the    innermost 
howl,  or    highest  strata,  all,    or  nearly    all,    the  coals  lying 
beneath   it.      Below   this   point,  assuming  a  direction   more 
toward  the  west,  it  flows  a  little  west  of,  and  parallel  to,  the 
axis,  still  exposing  only  the  upper  strata,  but  bending  toward 
the  northwest.      As  it  approaches  Marietta  it  displays  lower 
formations,  and  thence,  pursuing  a  direction   nearly  parallel 
to  the  course  from  Fishing  creek,  it  passes    Parkersburg  sev 
eral  miles  west  of  the  axis,  still  continuing  to  display  nearly 
the  same    rocks  as   are  met   with    at    Marietta.     It    now,  by 
various  flexures,  gradually  works  back  nearer  to  the  axis,  and 
therefore  into  higher  strata,  till  it  reaches  the  bend  below  Mill 
creek,  in  Jackson  county,  when,  by  a  sudden   turn  to  the  N. 
W.,  it  penetrates  some   distance  into  the  western  side  of  the 
basin,  and,  the  rocks  having  a  dip  towards  the  axis,  that  is  to 
wards  the  S   E.,  the  strata,  which,  during  its  previous  course, 
were  buried  below  its  bed,  are  now  seen  successively  emerg 
ing  to  the  surface,  and  bringing  into  light,  above  water  level, 
the  seam  worked  at  Pomeroy.  and   which   has  not  been  seen 
since  we  left  it  at  a  little   below    Wheeling.     Here,  resuming 
its  ireneral  southwesterly  course,  and,  though  having  numer 
ous  flexures,  preserving  its    general  direction  as  far  as  Guyan- 
dotte,  in    Cabell    county,   it   continues  to   expose  nearly  the 
same  strata  appertaining   to   the   western   side  of  the  basin 
throughout  the  whole  distance.     Then   bending  away  to  the 
west,  it  enters  the  lower  coal  group  (which  we  have  not  seen 
since  we   left    Brooke   county,    in    the   northern   part  of  the 
State),  about  three  miles  above  the  mouth  of  the  Big  Sandy? 
after  which,  taking  a  northwesterly  course,  it  emerges  from  the, 
basin  near  Porsmouth.     This  passage  of  the  Ohio  through  the 
length  of  this  basin,  presents  a  line  of  observation  of  great  inter- 
erest   and    value   to  the  geologist,  for   it  shows   nearly  all  of 
the  strata  of  the  coal  measures. 

The  coal  measures  rest  upon  a  well-marked  series  of  rocks, 
known  as  the  Great  Conglomerate,  and  the  following  descrip- 


RESOURCP:S  OF  WEST  VIRGINIA.  167 

tion  of  them,  condensed  from  Prof.  Roger?,  is  here  given,  as  it 
may  often  serve  to  prevent  fruitless  exploration  for  coal  in 
the  strata  underneath.  This  formation  contrasts  strongly 
in  general  aspect  and  composition,  with  the  one  immediately 
below  it.  It  consists  of  whitish,  or  light  gray  sandstones, 
generally  of  coarse  texture,  and  comprising  heavy  beds  of 
conglomerate,  usually  conspicuous  for  the  white  round  peb 
bles  of  which  it  is  mainly  composed.  As  the  rock  disinte 
grates,  these  latter  are  set  free,  and  are  often  profusely  strewn 
over  the  surface,  becoming  a  useful  landmark  when  the  rock 
itself  is  hid  from  view. 

At  all  points,  however,  this  formation  does  not  display  the 
same  conspicuous  conglomeratic  structure,  for  it  passes  from  a 
mere  mass  of  large  rounded  pebbles  to  a  conglomerate  of  shot 
like  gravel,  and  thence  to  a  coarse,  and  in  some  instances,  a 
fine  grained  sandstone  of  even  and  compact  texture,  and  varies 
in  thickness  from  100  feet,  and  less,  DO  1,000  feet,  and  perhaps 
more. 

Xor  in  all  cases  doe^  it  maintain  its  character  of  a  purely 
siliceous  rock,  for  it  sometimes  contains   beds  of  shale  and 
coal.     Yet  with  all  these  variations  the  general  characters  of 
the  group  as  above  described,  are  sufficiently  definite  to  enable 
the  practiced  observer  to  recognise  it  at  a,  glance. 

It  is  the  boundary  between  the  Coal  Measures,  and  the 
Appalachian  formations  below,  and  therefore,  as  a  general 
rule,  explorations  for  coal  should  bedirected  to  the  strata  lying 
geologically  above  it. 

The  remarkable  expansion  and  diversified  character  assumed 
by  this  formation  for  some  distance,  within  the  margin  of  our 
great  coal  field  west  of  the  Greenbrier  river  and  on  New  river, 
has  caused  it  to  spread  over  a  wide  area,  and  to  include  seams 
of  coal  of  sufficient  magnitude  to  be  worthy  of  exploration. 
As,  for  instance,  at  Quinnimont,  on  the  latter  stream. 

Having  thus  hastily  sketched  the  general  geology  of  the 
coal  field,  let  us  now  examine  the  number  of  coal  seams  con 
tained  therein. 

To  do  this  so  as  to  be  the  more  fully  understood,  the  coal 
strata  can  be  divided  into  four  great  geological  divisions,  viz  : 
TJie  Lower  Coal  Measures,  resting  upon  the  Great  Conglomer 
ate,  just  described  so  fully,  containing  very  many  important 


IBS  RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA. 

and  valuable  coal  seams,  and  having  a  thick  bed  of  sandstone, 
called  the  "  Mahoning/'  as  its  upper  limit. 

The  Lower  Barren  Measures,  composed  of  reddish  and  bluish 
shales  and  slates,  sandstones  and  limestones — the  latter  in 
some  parts  of  the  State  very  important — usually  destitute  of 
workable  coals,  and  terminating  at  the  base  of  a  valuable  and 
persistent  coal  seam  known  as  the  "Pittsburgh." 

The  Upper  Coal  Measures,  containing  several  important  coal 
seams,  of  which  the  "Pittsburgh  "  is  the  lowest. 

The  Upper  Barren  Measures,  composed  of-  sandstones  and 
shales,  nearly  destitute  of  coal. 

There  are  also  geographical  divisions  in  the  field  that  should 
be  noticed,  for,  in  several  cases,  ridges,  parallel  to  the  eastern 
margin  of  the  basin,  make  their  appearance,  and  are  composed 
of  sab-carboniferous  strata,  which  separate  one  coal  basin 
from  another,  and  form  well  marked  boundaries  thereto. 

These  anti-din als,  or  upheavals,  are  more  marked  in  the 
northern  than  in  the  southern  portion  of  the  State.  In  the 
former,  as  we  proceed  west,  they  become  more  and  more  gentle 
iu  their  slopes,  and,  as  they  are  traced  south,  become  wider 
and  flatter,  until  they  are  more  or  less  lost,  and  allow  the  coal 
measures  to  coalesce  in  one  grand  expanse,  or  gently  undulat 
ing  plane,  that  sweeps  from  Rich  and  Sewell  mountains 
entirely,  across  the  State,  with  scarcely  a  single  interruption, 
save  the  small  and  narrow  one  of  the  "Oil  Break,"  near  the 
Ohio  river. 

In  fact,  in  considering  this  question,  the  State  may  be  divided 
by  a  line  running  in  a  northwest  direction,  from  the  common 
eastern  corner  of  Greenbrier  and  Pocahontas,  to  the  northern 
end  of  Pleasants  county,  on  the  Ohio.  North  of  this,  we  find 
our  anti-clinal  axes  and  the  rock  beds  folded,  while  to  the 
south  the  upheavals  are  so  gentle,  that  while  they  may  flat 
ten  the  strata,  we  have  no  positive  assurance  that  they  reverse 
the  northwest  dip  anywhere  in  the  whole  territory. 

Let  us  now  proceed  to  show  what  seams  are  contained  in 
these  several  geographical  divisions,  t  he  first  one  taken  has 
been  alluded  to  as  lying  in  Mineral  and  Grant  counties,  and 
may  be  called 


EESOURCES   OF   WEST    VIRGINIA.  169 

THE  POTOMAC  BASIN. 

This  is  bounded  on  the  east  by  the  Front  Ridge  of  the  Alle- 
ghany,  and  on  the  west,  by  the  Backbone  of  the  Alleghany- 
In  the  intervening  space  are  two  anti-clinal  axes  or  undula. 
tions,  which  divide  this  area  into  three  sub-fields.  As  we  trace 
these  ridges  to  the  southwest,  they  more  or  less  coalesce,  form 
ing  the  high  land  between  Tucker  and  Grant  counties,  cutting 
off  all  continuity  of  the  coal  strata  between  this  basin,  and  the 
main  one  of  the  State. 

Continued  to  the  northeast,  these  two  -intermediate  axes 
flatten  down  and  die  out,  so  that  what  in  West  Virginia,  are 
three  basins;  in  Maryland,  is  the  single  one,  so  well  known 
as  the  "Cumberland  Coal  Field." 

THE  EASTERN  TROUGH, 

Of  the  Potomac  Basin,  is  bounded  by  the  Front  Ridge  of  the 
Alleghany  and  the  anti-clinal  ridge,  which  is  the  watershed 
between  Abrams  creek  and  Stony  river.  On  the  east  side 
the  strata  dip  northwest,  and  on  west  they  incline  southeast. 
By  reason  of  the  proximity  to  the  Appalachian  upheaval,  the 
rocks  are  here  inclined  at  a  comparatively  steep  angle,  and 
by  this  means  the  bottom  of  the  trough  was  rendered  suffici 
ently  low  to  permit  the  whole  of  the  Lower  Coal  and  Lower 
Barren  Measures,  and  a  little  of  the  Upper  Coal  Measures,  to 
escape  the  destructive  torrents  which  have  eroded  and  washed 
away  so  much  of  the  coal-bearing  formation  of  this  section. 
The  seams  found  in  this  basin  all  furnish  a  semi-bituminous 
coal. 

The  following  section  was  kindly  supplied  by  the  Hon.  H. 
G.  Davis,  and  is  the  result  of  actual  measurements,  taken  some 
ten  years  ago  by  Wm.  Brace,  Esq.,  of  Cumberland,  at  some 
point  near  the  Baltimore  and  Hampshire  Company's  mine, 
in  Mineral  county . 

Ft.    In. 

1.  "Millstone Grit" 

2.  Coal  3       0 

3.  Slate 120      0 

4.  Coal 6       0 

5.  Slate  and  Sandstone 130      0 

6.  Coed 3       0 

7.  Slate 1       6 

8.  Coal 3      6 

22 


170  RESOURCES  OF   WEST   VIRGINIA. 

Ft.  In. 

<).  Sandstone,  Slate,  and  Shale,  etc loO  0 

10.  <W 4  0 

11.  Sandstone  and  Limestone 120  0 

12.  Cnnl 2  (5 

].'».  Shale  and  Sandstone <)()  0 

14.  Fire  Clay :\      0 

l.\  C<t(,1—"\tig  Vein" 14       0 

1(>.  Slate :50       0 

17.  Black  Band  Ore 

15.  Shale  and  Slate ; •-}.">       0 

19.  Coal 7       0 

By  comparing  this  section  with  one  made  on  the  Maryland 
side  of  the  river  by  Prof.  Tyson  it  will  be  seen  that  Mr.. 
Brace  has  mistaken  the  heavy  bed  of  sandstone  under  No.  2 
of  the  section  for  the  Great  Conglomerate,  whereas  he 
should  have  gone  some  39  feet  lower.  Had  he  done  so, 
he  would  have  found  another  coal  seam,  which  is  to  be 
setn  in  the  bed  of  the  Potomac,  a  short  distance  belo\v  the 
mouth  of  Sivage  river,  and  at  Brantzburg,  showing  itself  2 
feet  11  inches  thick,  20  feet  above  the  water,  where  it  any- 
alyzes : 

Carbon  72.4 

Volatile  Matter l!).72 

Ash 7.88 

100.00 

Beginning  now  to  discuss  the  section  as  it  stands,  Prof. 
Rogers  makes  Coal,  No.  2,  only  20  inches  at  the  mouth  of 
Savage,  but  as  measured  by  Prof.  Win.  S.  Kowson,  of-  New 
Jersey,  on  the  head  waters  of  Abrarns  creek,  in  Grant  county, 
on  the  886  acres  of  J.  Hutton  &  Co.,  it  shows  Coal,  4  inches  ; 
Slate  2  inches;  Coal,  1  foot;  Slate  4  inches;  Coal,  2  feet  G 
inches.  Total  4  feet  4  inches. 

Coal  No.  4,  is  well  exposed  above  the  mouth  of  Savage,  and 
from  its  quality,  thickness,  accessibility,  and  the  large  area 
•over  wrhich  it  may  .be  wrought,  is  to  be  looked  on  as  a  very 
valuable  deposit.  I  have  no  analysis  of  it  at  this  place^  but 
samples  from  up  Abram's  creek,  from  the  land  of  Mr.  Vando- 
yer  and  Mr.  McDonald,  show  respectively: 


RESOURCES   OF    WEST   VIRGINIA.  171 

Carbon <>1.4i  74.00 

Volatile  matter 14/28  18.60 

Ash...  ..  24.28  7.40 


100.00  100.00 

At  the  head  of  this  creek,  on  the  land  of  Hutton  £  Co., 
Prof.  Row-son  measured  it  6  feet  9  inches,  but  this  shows 
many  partings  of  slate,  the  bottom,  2  feet  5  inches,  being  the 
thickest  bench  in  the  whole  height. 

Coals,  Nos.  6  and  8,  show  some  line  exposures  in  this,  and 
the  next  basin  on  Stony  river,  to  the  west,  the  intervening 
slate  getting  thinner,  so  that  at  Whistler's  opening  on  Stony, 
Prof,  Rowson  found  a  thickness  of  S  feet  3  inches,  the  slate 
being  represented  by  a  band  only  3  inches  thick,  5  feet  from 
the  floor. 

Coal,  Xo.  10,  was  measured  by  the  same  gentleman,  on  the 
100-acre  tract  of  J.  W.  Shillingburg.  Here,  including  the  top 
shales  and  coals,  it  was  5  feet  10  inches,  but  only  the  lower  4 
feet  is  solid  coal. 

Coal,  Xo.  12,  in  the  same  locality  as  the  last,  shows  3  feet  2 
inches,  but  is  worthless,  being  so  much  cut  by  partings  that 
the  thickest  bench  of  coal  is  only  1  foot  3  inches. 

Coal,  Xo.  15,  some  850  or  900  feet  above  the  river,  is  the  first 
of  the  Upper  Coal  Measures,  the  fame  that  is  so  exten 
sively  wi ought  in  the  Frostburg  Region  of  Maryland.  From 
its  great  elevation  in  the  hills,  it  is  not  only  more  difficult  of 
access  than  the  lower  coals,  but  is  spread  over  a  comparatively 
limited  area,  and  is,  in  many  cases,  likely  to  be  injured  by  the 
the  insufficient  protection  of  the  superincumbent  strata.  A  bet 
ter  idea  of  its  high  position  may  be  obtained  from  the  fact  that 
out  of  1,933  acres  owned  by  the  Hampshire  and  Baltimore 
Coal  Company,  about  a  mile  above  Piedmont,  a  careful  survey 
showed  that  only  21 63- acres  were  underlaid  by  this  seam.* 

The  mines  of  this  company,  and  the  Virginia  Coal  Com 
pany,  are  the  only  ones  now  in  operation  in  this  field,  and 
both  are  working  this  great  bed,  the  coal  from  wlrch  is  very 
free  from  impurities.  In  the  Virginia  mine,  it  is  14  feet 
thick,  with  only  one  parting,  I.1,,  inches  thick,  4  feet  from  the 

'•Report  on  the  Coal  Properties  ol  the:  Cumberland  Coal  Basiii,  by  James  T. 
Hodge,  Mining  Geologist,  18(59, 


172  RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA. 

floor.  The  whole  is  very  tender  and  soft,  the  bottom,  4  feet, 
particularly  so,  and  from  this  cause,  amongst  others,  only 
about  60  p«r  cent  of  the  contents  of  this  magnificent  bed  goes 
to  market.  (For  analysis  see  next  chapter). 

Coal,  JVo.  10,  "  is  called  the  eight-foot  bed,  and  affords  6  feet 
"  of  good  workable  coal.  It  is  in  rectangular  blocks,  harder 
u  and  firmer  than  the  coal  of  the  great  bed,  and  is  said  to  be 
i  more  gaseous  in  character.  Its  area  appears  to  be  full  half 
"  of  that  of  the  large  b:>d,  and  is  possibly  more  than  this." 
-(Hodge). 

It  has  been  mentioned  that  the  boundaries  of  this  sub-basin 
coalesce  to  the  southwest,  ami  the  coals  disappear,  so  that  as 
we  go  from  the  Potomac  towards  the  head  of  Abram's  creek, 
in  Grant  county,  first  the  top  seams  vanish,  then  the  ones 
below,  and  so  on  to  the  lowest. 

Proceeding  west,  and  crossing  the  dividing  ridge  between 
Abram's  creek  and  Stony  river,  we  enter  upon  the  Second,  or 
Middle  Trough,  of  the  Potomac  basin,  which  has  for  a  western 
boundary,  the  anticlinal  ridge  between  Stony  river  and  Diffi 
cult  creek,  and  its  southwest  termination  at  the  head  of  the 
former  stream.  As  this  upheaval  is  less  sudden  and  abrupt 
than  the  ones  to  the  east,  we  would  expect  that  the  inclina 
tion  of  the  strata  would  be  more  gentle,  and  such  proves  to 
be  the  case.  Hence,  the  coal  beds  were  not  so  well  protected 
from  erosion  by  ancient  currents,  and  as  a  consequence,  we 
find  that  all  of  the  Upper  Coal  Measures  have  been  washed 
away,  and  only  the  Lower  Coal  Measures  are  left. 

On  the  lower  part  of  Stony  river,  in  Mineral  county,  no 
explorations  have  been  made  to  show  what  coals  are  present, 
but  in  Grant  county,  they  were  examined  in  March,  1876,  by 
Mr.  A.  R.  Guerard,  of  the  Royal  School  of  Mines,  London, 
and  the  following  distinct  seams  were  observed : 

On  Rinker's  land,  4  miles  below  the  Falls  of  the  river,  is  an 
8-foot  seam,  containing  a  good  deal  of  slate.  Lower  down  the 
river,  and  j  of  a  mile  from  this,  is  the  "  Harnes"  bed,  which 
is  also  8  feet,  containing  more  slate  than  the  last.  It  is  very 
probable  that  it  is  the  same  as  the  "Rinker,"  but  this  could  not 
be  certainly  determined,  as  Mr.  Guerard  was  able  to  spend 
but  a  verv  short  time  in  the  district, 


RESOURCES   OF   WEST   VIRGINIA.  173 

Above  the  Rinker  8-foot  coal,  comes  in  a  3-foot  bed,  and  above 
this  a  4-foot  one,  near  the  falls  of  the  river.  In  connection 
with  these  two,  it  should  be  said  that  as  the  distance  between 
them  is  some  four  miles,  and  there  are  no  intermediate  expo 
sures,  Mr.  Guerard  thinks  that  possibly  these  may  be  one 
and  the  same  stratum,  which  has  undergone  an  alteration  in 
thickness.  Above  these,  also,  at  the  falls  of  Stony,  is  an  8- 
foot  seam — the  Whistler  seam,  with  very  little  slate — and 
above  this  Mr.  T.  W.  Evan?,  a  mining  engineer,  of  Pennsyl 
vania,  who  examined  this  field  iri  November,  1875,  reports  a 
6-foot  seam  of  good  coal. 

From  Stony  river,  we  now  cross  over  the  anti-clinal  ridge, 
between  that  stream  and  Difficult  creek,  and  come  into  the 
Western  Trough,  which,  like  the  last,  has  more  gently  sloping 
strata  than  the  eastern,  and  the  coals  belong  to  the  Lower 
Measures. 

Tn  Grant  county,  on  Difficult  creek,  up  the  stream  from  the 
crossing  of  the  pike,  and  about  1|  miles  from  Lees,  are  7  feet  of 
very  good  coal — the  only  important  parting  being  3  inches 
thick.  It  is  semi-bituminous  as,  in  fact,  all  in  the  Potomac 
Basin  seem  to  be,  with  some  slate  in  it.  Higher  in  the  hills 
than  this,  at  the  bend  in  the  Northwestern  Pike,  Mr.  Evans 
reports  a  4-foot  seam,  of  very  fine  coal.  On  Difficult  creek, 
at  the  crossing  of  the  Northwestern  Pike,  and  apparently 
below  the  7-foot  seam,  is  one  that  is  made  up  of  3  feet  of  good 
coal — 1  foot  ot  slate  and  2  feet  of  bad  coal  on  top.  By  compar 
ing  these  thicknesses  with  those  mentioned  in  the  section  on 
page  169,  it  will  be  noticed  that  the  last  named  bed  corresponds 
to  -ATo.  4  Coal,  6  feet,  except  that  a  parting  is  developed  here. 
The  7-foot  seams  correspond  to  Nos.  6,  7  and  8,  though  having 
suffered  a  slight  diminution  in  thickness,  while  the  4-foot 
seams  corresponds  to  No.  10  Coal,  4  feet. 

Separating  the  Potomac  Basin  from  the  one  next  to  the 
west,  is  a  wide  region  of  lofty  and  broken  hills,  traversed  by 
the  Cheat  river,  and  bounded  on  the  east  and  wrest  by  the 
Backbone  and  Briery  mountains,  respectively,  between  which 
the  formations  which  lie  below  the  coal  are  at,  or  very  near, 
the  surface.  This  shallow  basin  expands  and  deepens  in  a 
northwesterly  direction,  through  Maryland,  and  when  traced 
into  Pennsylvania,  becomes  of  great  value,  as  it  is  the  coal 


174  RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA. 

field  between  the  axes  of  the  Alleghany  and  Negro  mountains. 
There  are  no  observations  to  determine  what  it  does  in  its  prolon 
gations  to  the  south,  but  as  in  West  Virginia,  it  is  too  shallow 
to  contain  any  valuable  coal,  we  may  at  once  pass  on  to  the 
consideration  of 

THE  PRESTON  COUNTY  BASIN, 

Which  is  boiinded-on  the  east  by  the  Briery  mountains,  on 
the  west  by  Laurel  ridge,  and  is  the  southerly  continuation  of 
the  Ligonier  Valley,  or  second  basin  of  the  Pennsylvania  sur 
vey,  which,  in  West  Virginia,  is  divided  into  two  troughs  by 
a  gentle  anti-clinal  axis,  lying  just  west  of  Kingwood.  As 
this  has  not  been  wrell  traced  out,  both  troughs  will  just  now 
be  considered  as  one. 

In  it  are  all  the  Lower  Coal  and  Lower  Barren  Measures, 
and  in  the  southern  end,  in  the  tops  of  the  highest  hills,  the 
first,  or  PiifeHmrflh,  seam  of  the  Upper  Coal  Measures. 

There  is  positive  information  only  as  to  live  seams  in  this 
field,  but  it  is  fair  to  presume  that  a  careful  search  will  find 
others  which  properly  belong  to  this  geological  horizon,  though 
as  they  have  never  yet  been  discovered,  it  is  just  to  suppose 
that  they  are  small  and  unimportant. 

The  first  Scam,  or  lowest,  is  said  to  be  in  view,  at  very  low 
water,  in  the  bed  of  (/heat  river  half  a  mile  below  Kingwood 
Ferry,  resting",  according  to  Prof.  Rogers,  upon  a  limstone. 
Ju.-t  below  this  place,  the  shales,  which  overlie  this  seam-,  con 
tain  five  bands  of  rich  iron  ore  within  a  vertical  space  of  four 
or  live  feet,  the  lowest  band  occasionally  four  or  five  inches 
thick,  and  the  upper  ones  generally  about  two  inches. 

The  Second  Seam,  varies  from  2  to  4  feet,  in  different  parts  of 
the  field.  Though  valuable  for  fuel,  it  is  often  (mite  sulphur 
ous,  and  is  nowhere  worked  except  for  local  use. 

Between  seams  Nos.  1  and  2,  appears  a  limestone,  often  4  to 
5  feet  thick,  which,  from  its  purity  and  frequent  exposure,  is 
to  be  esteemed  a  valuable  resource  in  connection  with  the  agri 
cultural  improvement  of  this  region,  as  well  as  for  other  uses 
to  which  it  may  be  put.  Though  often  impregnated  with 
iron,  it  is  never  so  much  so  as  to  unfit  ii  for  masonry,  to  which 
it  has  been  frequently  applied  with  satisfactory  results.  (For 
analysis,  see  table  in  chapter  13  on  Miscellaneous  Minerals,) 


RESOURCES  OF  WEST   VIRGINIA.  175 

Tlic  Third  Seam  varies  generally  from  2  to  4  feet,  in  some 
cases  swelling  to  7  and  8  feet,  and  contains  a  very  good  article 
of  fuel.  Three  miles  south  of  the  mouth  of  Big  Buffalo  creek 
it  measures  4  feet,  including  from  8  to  10  inches  of  impure 
slaty  coal,  and  is  very  'compact,  breaking  with  difficulty. 
Two  miles  S  S.  W.  of  the  same  point  it  is  5  feet,  with  a  part 
ing  of  6  to  8  inches.  At  the  head  of  Deep  Run  hallow  it  has 
dwindled  to  18  or  20  inches,  while  opposite  King  wood  it  is  7 
to  8  feet  including  the  partings,  and  yields  about  5  feet  of  coal, 
of  which  o  feet  are  in  one  bed.  Corresponding  to  this  increase 
in  thickness,  there  is  also  an  improvement  in  the  quality,  but, 
unfortunately,  the  expansion  here  described  is  quite  local. 
Two  analysis  fiom  this  place  give  : 

Carbon 07.28         08.82 

Volatile  Matter 29.08   .      20.48 

Ash , .°>.04          5.20 

100.00       100.00 

As  far  as  the  scant  data  on  this  region  go,  it  would  appear 
that  the  8  or  9-foot  seam  worked  at  Austin,  on  the  Bait,  ct 
Ohio  R.  R.,  and  to  the  S.  W.  of  Kingwood,  must  be  another  ex 
pansion  of  this  stratum.  Just  as  has  been  mentioned  of  it 
elsewhere,  it  is  here  divided  by  partings,  having  4  feet  of  solid 
coal  at  the  bottom  yielding  an  excellent  article.  This  is  the 
only  part  of  it  worked  at  present,  though  if  mined  on  an  ex 
tensive  scale  the  whole  thickness  can  be  utilized. 

It  is  here  at  Austin  a  very  valuable  bed,  for,  according  to  a 
report  on  it  by  Prof.  J.  P.  Lesley,  "  it  makes  a  clear,  even,  sil- 
"  very  coke,  sufficiently  hard  to  bear  the  heaviest  burden  of 
the  blast  furnace.'1 

Above  it  is  sometime-;  a  shale,  which,  in  some  localities,  as 
at  Fairfax's,  south  of  Kingwood  ferry,  abounds  in  nodules  of 
very  rich  Iron  ore  of  a  delicate  gray  color,  while  in  others  the 
ore  is  replaced  by  nodules  of  impure  limestone.  At  Austin  a 
seam  of  ore  1-6  to  20  inches  thick,  and  the  same  as  worked  at 
the  Martin  Iron  Works,  is  seen  30  feet  below  it. 

In  geological  nomenclature,  this  coal  is  known  as  the  ''Up 
per  Freeport."  It  is  near  the  top  of  the  Lower  Coal  Measures, 
though,  according  to  Prof.  Lesley's  report,  before  alluded  to,  it- 
would  be  very  close  to,  if  not  at,  the  bottom  of  them,  as  he 


1?6  RESOURCES   OF   WEST   VIRGINIA. 

locates  it  400  feet  below  the  Mahoning  sandstone,  which  is  the 
upper  number  of  the  series.  There  is  a  coarse  sandstone  in  the 
Barren  Measures  at  this  distance  above  the  Upper  Freeport, 
which,  I  think,  he  has  mistaken  for  the  Mahoning,  for  the 
Lower  Coal  Series  in  the  Preston  basin  are  not  as  thick  as  400 
feet. 

Between  seams  Nos.  2  and  3  is  a  limestone  band,  sometimes 
in  nodules  and  again  some  4  or  5  feet  thick,  often  very  rich  in 
lime,  and  associated  with  a  white  argillaceous  clay  and  shales 
of  a  very  peculiar  character.  It  varies  very  much  in  its  posi 
tion,  between  the  two  coal  seams,  being  at  some  localities  50 
or  60  feet  above  No.  2,  while,  in  others,  it  is  only  4  or  5  feet ; 
on  Sypole  Run  being  8  or  10  feet.  This,  and  the  band  men 
tioned  as  lying  between  seams  Nos.  1  and  2,  are  so  much  alike 
it  would  be  difficult,  by  aspect  or  composition,  to  tell  them 
apart.  It  is  a  fine  grained,  bluish-gray  stone,  and  like  many 
of  the  limestones  of  the  coal  measures,  slightly  ferruginous — 
sometimes  so  much  so  as  to  burn  with  difficulty,  slacking 
slowly,  but  nevertheless  making  a  valuable  lime  for  agricul 
ture.  It  has  been  quarried  on  Sandy  Ridge.  Near  King  wood 
it  is  a  dull,  bluish  gray,  tinged  with  yellow,  compact,  fine 
grained,  conchoidal,  with  specks  of  iron  pyrites  and  calc  spar, 
very  hydraulic,  sets  promptly,  and  becomes  very  hard.  (For 
analysis,  see  table  in  chapter  on  Micellaneous  Minerals. 

The  fourth  Scam,  300  feet  above  No.  3,  is  in  the  Lower  Bar 
ren  Measures.  It  contains  3  feet  of  an  excellent  quality  of  coal. 

The  Fifth  Scam,  150  feet  above  the  last,  is  the  lowest  member 
of  the  Upper  Coal  Group,  and  is  the  same  as  that  worked  in 
Mineral  county,  near  Piedmont,  by  the  Virginia  Coal  Co.  It 
occupies  the  centre  of  the  basin  in  the  tops  of  the  hills  at  New- 
burg,  where  it  yields  an  excellent  gas  coal,  and  is  10  to  12  feet 
thick,  though  only  9  to  9J  feet  are  worked,  the  top  being  left 
to  .support  the  slate  roof. 

In  Prof.  Rogers'  report  on  the  Preston  field  it  is  not  men 
tioned  at  all,  for  the  reason,  I  presume,  that  his  explorations 
seem  to  have  been  in  the  northern-half  of  the  county,  where 
the  hills  are  too  low  to  catch  it.  As  to  whether  this  will  prove 
to  be  the  case,  also,  as  we  go  south  from  Newburg, "nothing  real 
ly  deffinite  can  now  be  stated,  on  account  of  the  paucity  of  data 
concerning  the  region,  but  it  may  safely  be  asserted  that,  if 


RESOURCES   OF   WEST   VIRGINIA.  177 

it  does  exist,  it  will  be  in  small  isolated  patches  as  at   the 
place  where  it  is  now  worked. 

THE  LOWER  GOAL  AND  BARREN  MEASURES  IN  THE  MONON- 
GAHELA  BASIN. 

The  broad  elevated  tract  extending  from  Pennsylvania  into 
West  Virginia,  nearly  coinciding  with  the  boundary  between 
Preston  and  Monongalia  counties,  and  which,  on  the  West 
Virginia  map,  is  called  Laurel  Hill,  contains  the  last 
important  axis  met  with  in  this  part  part  of  the  State.  As 
followed  in  a  southwest  direction,  the  dips  of  the  rocks,  on 
both  sides  of  the  ridge,  are  seen  to  be  rapidly  becoming  more 
gentle,  and.  the  axis,  thus  flattened  out,  soon  buries  from  view 
the  Appalachian  rocks  previously  exposed,  while  the  ridge 
itself  subsides  to  a  less  and  less  elevation,  until,  at  the 
Falls  of  the  Tygart's  Valley  river,  in  the  southern  part  of  Mar 
ion  county,  about  30  miles  from  the  Pennsylvania  line,  it 
becomes  so  insignificant  that  the  Mahoning  sandstone,  the 
top  of  the  Lower  Coal  Measures,  parses  over  it  unbroken. 

Proceeding  northwest  from  that  portion  of  this  axis,  which 
is  sufficiently  marked  by  an  anticlinal  to  bring  to  view  the 
sub  carboniferous  rocks,  and  so  completely  separate  the  Pres 
ton  from  the  Monongalia  basin,  we  soon  enter  upon  the  Lower 
Coal  Measures.  These  rapidly  dip  below  the  water  level,  giv 
ing  place  to  the  Lower  Barrens,  which,  in  turn,  disappear 
and  are  supplanted  by  the  Upper  Coal  Measures,  whose  lowest 
seam,  the  Pittsburgh,  is  seen  high  in  the  hills,  a  few  miles 
east  of  Morgantown,  but  comes  to  the  water  level  some  2 
miles  up  Scott's  Run,  a  west  branch  of  the  Monongahela 
river.  The  northwest  dip  still  continuing,  the  upper  coals 
sink  below  the  surface  as  this  run  is  ascended,  leaving  the 
surface  of  the  country  composed  of  the  shales,  &c.,  of  the 
Upper  Barrens. 

As  these  upper  coals  will  form  a  chapter  to  themselves,  I 
will  at  present  treat  only  of  the  measures  below  them,  for  the 
following,  description  of  which,  I  am  indebted  to  a  paper 
read  before  the  American  Philosophical  Society,  on  16  Feb., 
1872,  by  Prof.  J.  J.  Stevenson,  and  to  the  Geology  of  Virginia, 
1839,  by  Prof.  Wm.  B.  Rogers,  In  making  the  section  the 
line  of  observation  was,  in  both  cases,  along  Decker's  creek  to 
the  river,  thence  down  the  same  to  Scott's  run,  and  on  up  the 
23 


178  RESOURCES   OF   WEST   VIRGINIA. 

stream.  The  following  measurements*  are  those  given  by 
the  former  gentleman,  but  in  the  reversed  order  to  that  in 
which  they  were  published.  I  give  them  in  this  way  so  as 
to  keep  up  the  line  of  march  heretore  observed,  viz.:  from 
east  to  west. 

SECTION  OF   THE  LOWER  COAL  MEASURES. 

1.  Shale 10  feet 

2.  Coal 1     " 

3.  Sandstone 4     " 

4.  Coal 1|  " 

5-  Shale 25     *' 

b'.  Sandstone 25  to  30     " 

7.  Shale 15  to  20    " 

8.  Coal 2  to    3     " 

9.  Sandstone  and  Shale 20  to  30     *' 

10.  Coul JJA  (?)  " 

11.  Shale 30  " 

12.  Limestone   "Ferriferous" .' 4  to    5  " 

13.  Shale 10  " 

14.  Sandstone 5  " 

15.  Conl 1  " 

Hn  Shale 10  " 

17.  Coal 4  to    5     " 

18.  Inhales 1  to  25     " 

19.  Coal U  " 

20.  Shale 12     " 

21.  Sandstone,  "Mahonin^" 75     " 

This  would  therefore  make  the  Lower  Coal  Measures  in  this 
part  of  West  Virginia  from  260  to  300  feet  thick. 

Shale  (No.  1). — Near  the  bottom  of  this  is  an  irregular  band 
of  a  coarse  gray  or  grayish  dun  carbonate  of  iron,  covered  with 
layers  of  hydrated  protoxide — the  result  of  decomposition* 
The  band  has  an  estimated  thickness  of  one  foot,  though  it 
sometimes  occurs  in  nodular  masses,  varying  from  2  to  12 
inches  in  diameter.  It  is  generally  of  inferior  quality,  though 


-Iu  the  section,  as  given  by  Prof.  Rogers,  Coals  Nos.  2  and  4  are  not  men 
tioned,  while  between  Sands' one  Xo.  14,  and  Coal  Xo.  15,  he  places  6  to  8  feet  of 
dark  blue,  argellaceous  shale,  in  the  lower  part  of  which  is  a  layer  of  nodules 
of  Carbonate  of  Iron,  coated  with  Brown  Oxide  of  Iron,  and  was  the  material 
chielly  used  at  the  old  furnace  on  Decker's  creek.  It  was  mined  on  the  side  of 
Laurel  Hill,  in  a  southeast  direction  from,  the  furnace.  The  average  thickness 
of  the  band  is  from  6  to  10  inches,  1  h rough*  the  nodules  are  sometimes  a  foot  in 
diameter.  (For  analysis  see  Chapter  on  Iron).  This  is  mentioned  to  call  atten 
tion  to  the  matter,  so  that  future  exploration  may  reconcile  the  slight  differ 
ences  in  the  sections. 


RESOURCES   OF   WEST   VIRGINIA.  179 

in  bygone  days  it  was  used  in  the  Decker's  creek  furnaces,  and 
for  this  purpose  was  mined  at  various  points,  in  isolated  patches, 
along  the  west  base  of  Laurel  Hill. 

Coals  (Nos.  2  and  4),  as  exposed  on  Decker's  creek,  are  of  no 
importance.      No.  4  shows  a  thickness  of  21  inches,  in  which 
are  3  partings.      A  very  hard  refractory  sandstone,  containing 
some  imperfect  specimens  of  vegetable  fossils,  mostly  of  the 
genus  Lepidodendron,  lies  between  these  coals.      It  is  a  good 
fire  stone,  and  was  so  used  in  the  old  furnace  near  by.      No.  2 
is  one  foot  thick,  and  of  good  quality.     On  Decker's  creek  these 
may  be  seen  near  the  bridge,  below  Hagadore's  mill.      On 
Booth's  creek,  only  one  of  them  was  seen.      At  Nuzum's  mill, 
it  is  as  irregular  as  the  Brier  Hill  coal  of  Ohio.     Along  the 
railroad  cutting  for  some  distance,  it  shows  itself  about  3  feet 
thick,  but  as  it  approaches  the  station,  the  underlying  fire 
clay  increases  in  thickness,  while  the  coal  diminishes,  until  at 
length  the  latter  entirely  disappears.      At  this  locality  (?'.  t. 
where  3  feet  thick),  it  has  been  worked  to  a  slight   extent, 
yielding  a  coal  of  excellent  quality.     The  fire-clay  seems  to  be 
equal  to  that  of  Dover,  Ohio,  which  it  greatly  resembles. 

Sandstone  (No.  6)  varies  from  moderately  coarse  comglomer- 
ate  to  fine  grained  sandstone.  Compact  and  flaggy  layers 
alternate  on  Decker's  creek.  On  Booth's  creek  it  is  mostly 
compact.  At  Nuzum's  mill  it  is  uneven  in  texture,  and  has 
weathered  so  as  to  have  huge  chambers.  •  The  compact  layers 
are  very  refractory,  some  of  them  having  been  employed  for 
furnace  hearths.  On  Decker's  creek,  3  or  4  inches  of  coal  have 
been  found  in  this  rock, 

Coal  (No.  8)  has  been  opened  at  several  points  along  Decker's 
creek  and  its  tributaries,  and  is  in  high  repute  for  domestic 
use.  It  is  friable,  free  from  pyrites,  and  has  been  locally 
termed  the  "  Blacksmith's  Vein."  Near  the  furnace,  it  is  of 
the  peacock  variety.  It  was  formerly  worked  near  Clinton 
Furnace,  but  after  the  discovery  of  the  larger  seam  above,  the 
workings  were  abandoned,  and  have  caved  in.  So  far  as  known 
it  has  not  been  worked  at  Nuzunrs  mill. 

Coal  (No.  10)  was  worked  many  years  ago  on  Decker's  creek, 
a  little  below  the  old  furnace,  but  in  1872  it  was  so  closed  up 
by  slides  that  Prof.  Stevenson  was  not  able  to  see  it.  Old 
miners  said  it  was  3^  and  4  feet  thick,  and  resembled  cannel. 


180  RESOURCES   OF   WEST   VIRGINIA. 

The  shales  above  it  are  laminated  and  highly  bituminous, 
burn  readily  and  have  been  mistaken  for  cannel. 

The  ferriferous  Limestone  (No.  23)  is  frequently  double  with 
an  intervening  shale,  sometimes  several  feet  thick.  For  a 
few  inches  near  its  upper  surface,  it  is  yellow  and  so  highly 
ferruginous  as  in  some  places  to  constitute  a  calcareous  iron 
ore,  for  which  it  has  been  worked  in  bygone  days,  in  one  or 
two  places.  It  is  quite  persistent  for  twenty  miles  south  of 
the  Pennsylvania  line,  but  does  not  appear  in  the  sections  at 
Nuzum's  mill.  It  was  lued  as  a  flux  at  the  old  furnace  on 
Decker's  creek,  and  at  the  Clinton  Furnace  on  Booth's  creek. 
It  affords  a  good  lime  for  agricultural  and  rough  work,  though 
but  little  use  has  been  made  of  it,  notwithstanding  that  it 
shows  in  almost  every  hill,  and  lime  commands  15  cents  per 
bushel  at  the  kiln. 

Shale  (No.  13)  contains  nodular  masses  of  carbonate  of  iron, 
which,  though  of  good  quality,  is  in  too  small  quantity  to  be 
of  value. 

Coal  (No.  17). — In  some  places  parts  of  it  are  rendered  quite 
impure  by  pyrites,  but  towards  the  center  it  is  remarkably 
free  from  that  mineral.  This  is  the  important  and  most  per 
sistent  seam  of  the  group.  It  appears  on  Cheat  river  near 
Ice's  Ferry,  where  it  is  worked  on  Tibbs  Run,  a  tributary  of 
Decker's  creek,  and  in  some  of  the  various  openings  near  it. 
In  these  localities  it  is  4  feet  thick,  divided  near  the  bottom 
by  a  thin  clay  parting.  The  shale  above  is  very  bituminous," 
has  a  conchoidal  fracture,  and  is  a  cannel  coal  of  inferior  qual 
ity,  which  in  some  places  has  been  worked  with  the  coal 
below.  The  coal  in  this  seam  is  very  friable,  breaking  into 
rhombic  pieces.  Traced  southwesterly  it  crosses  Aaron's  creek, 
near  the  King  wood  road,  about  four  miles  from  Morgan  town, 
and  is  worked  by  Mr.  Bell.  It  also  appears  at  several  points 
along  Coburn's  creek.  On  the  Evansville  road,  about  seven 
miles  from  Morgantown,  it  is  opened  by  Mr.  Howell.  Here  it 
lies  directly  under  the  Mahoning  sandstone,  and  gives  the  fol-' 
lowing  section : 


RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA.  181 

Feet.         Inches 

Coal 3  1 

Clay  Shale. - 2  to  4 

Coed 1  3 

Shale 2 

Coal 3 

4  11 

Evidently  the  whole  bed  is  not  worked  here,  for  on  the 
other  side  of  the  hill  appears  to  be  a  foot  or  more  of  coal  above, 
but  it  does  pay  to  work  more  than  the  lower  4  feet. 

Coal,  (local). — Ten  to  fifteen  feet  below  this  coal,  in  a 
branch  of  Decker's  creek,  there  is  is  a  seam  about  one  foot 
thick,  which  appears  to  be  a  very  local,  as  it  is  Lot  found  on 
the  main  stream,  or  to  the  south. 

Coal  (No.  19). — On  Decker's  creek,  this  is  about  15  inches 
thick,  was  worked  some  years  ago  near  the  Point  House,  on 
that  stream,  and  is  said  to  be  of  excellent  quality.  This  seam 
does  not  appear  on  Booth's  creek,  nor  did  Prof.  Stevenson  see 
it  on  White  Day.  A  coal  bed  occupying  the  same  position 
has  been  slightly  worked  at  Nuzum's  Mill,  and  is  there 
3  feet  thick. 

Shale  (No.  20). — On  Decker's  creek,  this  is  of  dark  color,  and 
near  the  middle  contains  a  band  of  fossiliferous  nodular  iron 
ore.  It  seems  to  be  present  on  White  Day  creek,  12  miles 
south  of  Morgantown,  but  is  not  persistent  in  Pennsylvania. 

Mahoning  Sandstone  (No.  21),  is  for  the  most  part  a  massive 
rock,  with  alternating  fine  and  coarse  layers,  the  latter  being 
sometimes  a  conglomerate.  In  some  places  it  is  flaggy,  while 
in  others  it  is  compact  and  very  suitable  for  building  pur 
poses,  as  blocks  6  to  8  feet  thick  can  be  quarried  without  diffi 
culty.  The  lower  part  descends  to  the  bed  of  Decker's  creek, 
near  the  site  of  the  old  forge,  but,  owing  to  the  diminished 
dip  in  going  west,  together  with  the  rapid  descent  of  the 
creek  in  the  same  direction,  about  40  feet  of  it  are  seen  at  the 
mouth.  About  2  miles  below  Morgantown,  near  Granville,  it 
sinks  below  the  river.  To  the  south,  it  rises  quite  rapidly, 
and  at  Booth's  creek,  4  miles  above  Morgantown,  it  is  about 
40  feet  above  the  river,  where  it  shows  in  a  blufit  of  about  75 
feet,  in  some  portions  weatbered  in  large  rounded  cavities, 
and  in  others,  showing  a  strangely  honey-combed  surface. 


182  RESOURCES   OF   WEST    VIRGINIA. 

THE  LOWER  BARREN  MEASURES. 

In  this  part  of  the  State  these  are  about  400  feet  thick.  I 
do  not  consider  it  necessary,  in  a  treatise  of  this  kind,  to  give 
a  detailed  section  of  them,  as  they  contain  only  one  coal 
seam,  out  of  about  live,  that  is  thick  enough  to  be  of 
any  importance,  and  even  that  appears  to  be  compara 
tively  local.  According  to  Prof.  Rogers'  section,  it  is  about  180 
feet  above  the  Mahoning  sandstone.  On  Decker's  creek  it  has 
been  wrought  at  several  places  as  high  up  as  the  Old 
Forge,  where  it  runs  out  on  the  top  of  the  hills.  It  sinks 
below  the  bed  of  the  Monongahela  river,  above  the  mouth 
of  Scott's  run,  about  2]  miles  below  Morgantown.  Some 
30  years  ago  it  was  opened  in  the  hill  opposite  the  University, 
near  the  village,  while  5  or  6  years  ago  it  was  worked  in  a 
ravine,  east  of  the  town,  to  supply  local  use,  but  the  mine 
was  abandoned,  owing  to  the  thinness  of  the  bed,  which  made 
the  cost  of  extraction  too  great  to  admit  of  competition  with 
the  openings  into  the  Pittsburgh  seam,  which  is  7  to  8  feet 
thick  in  this  immediate  vicinity.  In  1872,  it,  was  opened  by 
Mr.  Miller  and  Mr.  Fordyce,  to  supply  their  own  fire-places, 
and  at  the  opening  by  the  former  gentleman,  it  showed  : 
Bituminous  shale,  6  to  8  inches,  Coal,  3  to  3J  feet.  The  gen 
eral  structure  of  the  coal  is  slaty,  and  contains  a  considerable 
a  considerable  amount  of  sulphur,  which  is  unfortunate,  as 
otherwise  its  large  proportion  of  fixed  carbon  would  render 
it  \ery  valuable  for  manufacturing  purposes,  for  in  burn 
ing  it  gives  off  an  intense  heat,  lasts  long  on  the  fire,  and 
makes  but  little  soot.  The  bed  is  frequently  cut  up  by 
"  horse-backs  "  and  "  mud-seams." 

According  to  the  section  of  Prof.  Rogers,  the  Lower  Barrens 
in  this  part  of  West  Virginia  contain  11  bands  of  limestone, 
of  an  aggregate  thickness  of  24  feet. 

Most  of  these  are  ferrugenous,  and  otherwise  impure, 
but  are  still  generally  capable  of  yielding  a  lime  well  suited 
to  agriculture  and  building,  as  well  as  some  domestic  uses 
where  the  color  is  unimportant. 

THE  LOWER   COAL    MEASURES  WEST    OF    TUCKER  COUNTY 
AND  RICH  MOUNTAIN". 

On  page  177  et-  *ey.  it  was  noted  that  Laurel  Hill  formed  a  dis 
tinct  boundary  between  the  coals  of  the  Preston  and  Mononga- 


RESOURCES  OF   WEST   VIRGINIA.  183 

hela  basins,  but  that  as  it   was  traced  to  the  southwest  it  be 
came  broader  and  flatter,  until,   at  Valley  Falls,  in  Marion 
county,  the  Mahoning  sandstone  and  its  underlying  seams 
passed  over   it   unbroken.     ^lence,  it  will  be  understood  that 
somewhere  between  this  point  and  Decker's  creek,  the  lower 
coals  will  be  seen  lapping  over  this  anticlinal  and  joining  the 
the  two  basins,  so  that  what  in  the  north  were  two  separate 
troughs  coalesce  at  some  place  about  the  northern  edge  of  Tay 
lor  county  and  gradually  form  one  continuous  area,   which 
stretches  uninterruptedly  across  the  State  from  Rich  moun 
tain  in  Randolph,    which  range,  as  mentioned  in  the  early 
part  of  this  paper,  is  practically  the  eastern  boundary  of  the 
coal  formation  in  this  part  of  West  Virginia/     Unfortunately 
but  little  reliable  information  concerning  this  region  is  be 
had,  for  accurate  observations  thereon  are  few  and  far  between, 
and  even  these  very  cursory.     It  is  impossible  to  give  any  de  • 
tailed  section  of  the  strata,  for  none  has  ever  been  made,  and 
beyond  the  fact  that  the  Lower  Coal  Measures  have  increased 
from  250  feet  in  Monongalia,  to  a  considerably  greater  thick 
ness  in  Randolph,  but  little  can  be  said.     Whether  the  num 
ber  of  the  included  seams  has  also  increased,  as  is  the  case 
further  south,  or  what  changes  the^  have  undergone,  or  what 
their  total  combined  thickness  is,  is  entirely  unknown.     Care 
ful  examinations  may  show  that   other  beds,  besides  those  to 
be  presently  mentioned,  which  in  the  north  were  small  and 
worthless,  are  here  thick  and  important ;  and  there  is  no  doubt 
that  valuable  seams,  now  hidden  by  the  soil  and  loose  rock 
that  cover  the  hills,  and  of  which,   at  this  time,   we  know 
nothing,  will  be  found,  for  it  should  be  borne  in  mind  that 
western  Randolph,  the  largest  part  of  Barbour,  Upshur,  and 
Webster,  and  parts  of  Braxton   and  Lewis,  have  the  Lower 
Coal  Measures  and  their  included  seams  above  water  level, 
while  the  western  portion  of  Barbour  and  Upshur,  and  much 
of  the  area  of  Braxton  and  Lewis,  have  also  the  coals  of  the 
Upper  Coal  Measures. 

The  following  partial  section,  beginning  with  the  Mahon 
ing  sandstone  is  said  to  have  been  obtained  in  a  salt  well 
bored  on  the  Buckhannon  river  :  * 


*  The  detailed  measurements  given  in  this  and  the  next  few  pages  were  ob 
tained  from  'Notes  on  the  Geology  of  West  Virginia,"  by  Prof.  J,  J.  Stevenson, 
a  paper  read  before  the  Am.  Phil.  Soc,,  5th  Feb.,  1875. 


184  RESOURCES   OF   WEST   VIRGINIA.    ' 

1.  Rock 60  feet. 

2.  Coal 15  " 

3.  Shale .' 32  " 

4.  Sandstone '. 40  " 

5.  Coal 4  " 

6.  Rock 160  " 

7.  Coal 4  " 

8.  Sandstone 40  " 

9.  Coal 3  " 

10.  Sandstone...  ...120  " 


478  feet. 

There  is  no  evidence  in  this  to  show  that  the  boring  leached 
the  base  of  the  lower  coals. 

No.  2.  Coal,  15  feet,  is  the  Upper  Freeport,  or  the  same  seam 
that  on  Decker's  creek,  in  the  Monongalia  basin,  shows  4  to  5 
feet,  (page  ISO),  and  at  Austin,  in  the  Preston  basin,  7  to  9 
feet,  (page  175).  As  traced  south  it  seems  very  much  to  aug 
ment  in  thickness,  in  some  places  showing  21|-  feet,  but  its 
partings  so  increase  that,  as  a  rule,  whenever  it  gets  over  12  ft. 
thick,  it  is  so  much  cut  up  that  the  amount  of  workable  coal 
in  it  bears  no  just  ratio  to  the  total  size.  As  an  example  :  In 
Up-hur  county,  on  Sand  Run.  several  miles  south  of  the 
Beverly  road,  it  measures  : 

1.  r.iiuminous  Shale 5  feet.  0  inches 

2.  COAI -  "  7       " 

3.  CANNEL,  poor 2  "  0       " 

4.  Shale,  slightly  carbonaceous 4  "  0 

5.  COAL,  slaty 1  "  10 

6.  Shale,  slightly  carbonaceous 1  "  3 

7.  CoaL  partly  cannel 2  "  2 

8.  Clay,  drab. -  "  8      "     - 

<).  Coal,  bony -  "  6      " 

10.  Clay .* -     "         8      " 

11.  Coal,  slaty 1     "         1      " 

12.  Clay,  with  streaks  of  coal 1     " 

Total 21  6     "  * 

On  Grassy  Run,  another  tributary  of  Buckhannon  river,  as 
well  as  on  the  river  itself,  10  or  11  miles  below  Buckhannon 


"This  section  is  given  in  detail  to  especially  correct  an  erroneous  impression 
that  seems  to  be  generally  prevalent  concerning  its  value,  as  it  is  often  as  im 
portant  to  the  interests  of  a  community  to  know  what  they  have  not  got,  as  to 
know  what  they  have,  for  accurate  knowledge  and  statements  concerning  the 
resources  of  a,  district  will  often  save  both  its  credit  and  Its  money. 


RESOURCES   OF   WEST   VIRGINIA. 


185 


town,  it  is  seen  in  its  great  thickness,  but  very  much  inter- 
stratified  with  slate.  In  fact,  at  the  former  place,  out  of  a 
thickness  of  18  feet  1J  inches  there  are  only  two  benches  that 
could  be  worked.  The  top  one  is  5  feet  11  inches  and  tho  lower 
3  feet  8  laches,  3  feet  4J  inches  of  partings  and  thin  worthless 
coals  being  between.  On  Roaring  creek,  in  Randolph  county, 
however,  we  find  that  out  of  a  thickness  of  13  feet  10  inches 
there  are  8  feet  11  inches  of  good  coal,  (though  quite  sulphur 
ous  when  examined  under  a  magnifying  glass),  with  partings 
so  thin  on  the  outcrop  that  they  may  all—  save  one  of  4  inches 
—practically  disappear  on  driving  in,*  and  consequently  it  is 
a  very  valuable  seam.  On  Tygart's  Valley  river  it  is  seen  in 
many  places  in  Barbour  and  Taylor,  to  within  a  few  miles  of 
Grafton,  in  the  latter,  but  at  some  of  these,  though  it  presents 
a  very  handsome  appearance  to  the  eye,  yet,  under  a  glass,  a 
good  deal  of  sulphur  can  be  distinguished.  At  Nuzuin's  Mills, 
Marion  county,  it  shows:  Cannel,  1  foot  ;  Bituminous  Coal,  4. 
to  5  feet,  and  is  a  good,  strong  fuel.  Near  Weston,  in  Lewis 
county,  this  coal-bed  is  said  to  occur  in  the  bed  of  the  West 
Fork  river. 

On  Roaring  creek  and  Sand  run,  Randolph  and  Upshur 
counties,  we  find  below  this  seam,  and  corresponding  to  No. 
5  of  section  given  on  page  184,  a  persistent  coal  bed,  quite  reg 
ular  in  thickness,  and  varying  but  little  from  4  feet.  The 
coal  is  irised,  exceeding  rich  in  bituminous  matter,  and  burns 
and  cokes  well. 

Still  lower  than  this,  and  quite  near  the  bottom  of  the 
Coal  Measures,  is  the  seam  from  which  the  town  of  Beverly 
draws  its  supply  of  fuel.  As  opened  by  Mr.  S.  B.  Hart,  near 
the  pike,  the  bed  is  made  up  of: 


Coal,  sulphurous  ..........................................................  4- 

Black  Clay  ....................  ................  .'  .............................  1 

Coal  ............................................................................  3                (i 

Clay  ...........................................................................  1 

Coal  ............................................................................  1                7 

Total...  o                7 


*  Between  this  point  and  Beverly,  7  miles  from  the  former,  and  9  miles  from  the 
latter,  on  the  Stauiiton  &  Parkershurg  Pike,  Mr.  J.  R.  Bestor,  one  of  the  assist 
ants  to  the  State  Board  of  Centennial  Managers,  measured  this  seam  at  "  Hilla 
ry  bank,"  where  it  is  partially  worked,  and  gives,  in  the  ascending  order:  Coal 
21  inches ;  Hlate 2;  Coal,  4  feet;  Slate,  2>£  inches;  Coal,  '2  feet:  total  8  feet  1^ in 
ches.  No  solid  roof  had  been  reachwd,  and  coal  was  found  under  the  floor, 
which  was  8  inches  of  Slate. 

24 


186  RESOURCES   OF   WEST   VIRGINIA. 

The  bottom  coal  is  very  inferior,  and  contains  a  notable 
proportion  of  sulphur. 

In  February  of  1876,  Mr.  Bestor  made  an  examination  of  a 
portion  ot  Barbour  county,  near  the  Tygart's  Valley  river, 
and  reports  the  following  beds.  It  is  to  be  regretted  that  the 
examinations  were  not  sufficiently  in  detail  to  identify  the 
various  seams,  one  with  the  other  in  the  different  localities.  • 

On  B.  Woodford's  land,  5-J-  miles  north  of  Philippi,  on  the 
Parkers  burg  and  Webster  pike,  a  5-J-foot  seam  of  bituminous 
coal  is  worked.  The  bed  is,  in  reality,  some  8  feet  thick,  but 
the  top  and  bottom  are  so  mixed  with  slate  as  to  be  worth 
less.  This  is  reported  to  be  very  generally  found  in  this  part 
of  the  country,  and  is  used  at  nearly  every  farm  house  in  the 
neighborhood.  The  abutments  of  the  bridge  at  Philippi  are  on 
a  5-foot  coal  seam,  which  is  accessible  in  low  water.  The 
total  thickness  has  not  yet  been  discovered.  This,  or  another 
seam,  is  found  3  miles  below  Philippi,  in  the  riverbed.  Thick 
ness  5  feet,  as  far  as  seen,  the  bottom  never  having  been 
reached.  About  40  feet  up  the  hill,  on  the  east  side  of  the 
river,  at  Philippi,  is  a  bed  made  up  of:  Coal,  2J-  feet;  Slate, 
2  feet  2  inches ;  Coal,  2  feet;  total,  6  feet  8  inches.  On  the 
west  side  of  the  stream  it  is  5J  feet  thick,  and  is  worked  at 
various  places  along  the  Philippi  and  Beverly  pike.  On  Geo. 
Pitman's  land,  4  miles  south  of  Philippi,  isoj  feet  bituminous 
coal,  40  feet  above  which  is  2J  feet  of  carbonate  of  iron,  and- 
10  feet  higher,  a  10-foot  coal  bank,  the  upper  part  being  can- 
nel.  This  latter  is  seen  again  on  J.  H.  Strickland's  land  4-J- 
miles  southwest  of  Philippi,  on  the  east  side  of  the  river,  and 
40  feet  over  it  is  5  to  %\  feet  of  bituminous  coal.  Near  C.  T. 
Fisher's  mill,  (Ji  miles  south  of  Philippi,  is  a  3-foot  10-inch 
seam,  and  near  Burlington,  11^  miles  south  of  the  same  radi 
ating  point,  a  3-foot  s-eam,  both  the  last  bituminous. 

Before  leaving  the  northern  half  of  the  State,  mention 
should  be  made  of 

THE  LOWER   COAL  MEASURES   OF  HANCOCK   AND   BROOKE 

COUNTIES. 

These  appear  in  Hancock  county,  at  its  northern  end,  and 
as  they  dip  to  the  south  they  disappear  below  water  level 
before  they  reach  Brooke  county,  so  that  they  have  to  be 
reached  by  shafting.  Two  seams  have  been  proven  in  the 


RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA.  1*7 

northern  end  of  Brooke,  being  180  and  210  feet,  respectively, 
below  high  water  mark,  and  each  averaging  about  4 
feet  2  inches  thick.  No  shafting  for  these  has  been  done  in 
West  Virginia,  but  at  Steubenville,  on  the  Ohio  side  of  the 
river,  there  are  9  shafts  in  operation,  raising  large  quantities 
of  coal  considered  superior  for  iron  making.  One  of  these  col 
lieries  has  driven  their  entries  under  the  river  to  the  West 
Virginia  side. 

These  two  seams  give  a  value  to  the  land  in  this  neighbor 
hood  of  $100  per  acre  for  the  "  mineral  privileges"  alone. 

THE  NEW  AND  KANAWHA  RIVEB   COAL  BASINS. 

We  now  come  to  that  district  of  the  State,  which,  by  reason 
of  the  variety  of  its  coals,  and  number  of  its  seams,  is  to  be 
considered  one  of  the  most  valuable  portions  of  the  Appa 
lachian  coal  field,  and  has  helped,  in  no  little  degree,  to  give 
West  Virginia  the  reputation  it  enjoys  of  being  one  of  the 
richest  of  any  State  in  the  Union  in  this  great  element  of  civ 
ilization,  wealth  and  prosperity.  For  this  reason  it  has  a 
peculiar  interest  to  the  capitalist,  while  from  a  geological 
point  of  view,  the  great  development  of  the  coal  measures  is 
very  important. 

Going  back  to  a  pre-carbonaceous  period,  it  would  seem  that 
this  section  was  a  deep  basin,  constantly  settling  down,  and 
being  filled  up,  while  the  northern  portion  of  the  State  was 
n.early  stationary.  As  an  indication  of  this,  it  may  be  noted, 
that  the  Vespertine  formation  at  Westernport,  on  the  Poto 
mac,  is,  according  to  Prof.  Rogers,  200  feet  thick,  while  in 
Greenbrier,  it  is  800  feet.  In  this  latter  measurement,  he 
seems  to  have  taken  no  notice  of  some  300  feet  of  rock,  that 
justly  belongs  to  its  upper  portion.  In  the  north,  at  the  same 
place,  the  Umbral  (or  Sub-carboniferous)  limestone  is  80  feet, 
while  in  the  Greenbrier  mountain,  in  Pocahontas,  he  gives  it 
as  822  feet.  On  the  Potomac  the  Umbral  shales  are  838  feet  ver 
sus  1,260  feet  in  the  above  mentioned  locality  in  Pocahontas, 
and  the  indications  are  that  all  three  of  these  still  increase  in 
thickness  as  we  come  south  toward  New  River,  so  that  at 
Hinton  they  may  be  taken  as  aggregating  3,500  feet  versus 
1,128  feet  in  the  north.  Continuing  on  up  in  the  geological 
column,  the  Conglomerate  is  150  feet  thick  on  the  Potomac, 
and  on  New  river,  according  to  Prof.  Wm.  M.  Fontaine,  1,350 


188  RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA. 

feet,  including  the  Passage  Rocks,  while  400  feet  takes  in  the 
Lower  Coal  Measures  in  the  one  case,  and  1,340  feet  about 
embraces  them  on  the  Kanawha.  Finally,  in  the  north,  the 
Lower  Barrens  are  400  feet,  against  700  feet  in  the  south. 

By  an  addition  of  these  figures,  and  dealing  in  round  num 
bers,  we  see  that  while  2,000  feet  of  strata  were  forming  on 
the  Potomac,  or  northern  West  Virginia,  some  6,840  feet  were 
being  deposited  in  the  New  River  and  Kanawha  region ;  or, 
in  other  words,  durinsr  this  period,  the  latter  sank  about 
4,840  feet  more  than  did  the  former. 

It  is  to  this  that  we  must  look  for  an  explanation  of  the 
presence  of  the  various  anti-clinal  axis  in  the  north,  and  their 
absence  in  the  south. 

As  this  depression  took  place,  the  strain,  or  tension,  of  the 
rock-beds  on  the  eastern  border  of  the  basin  increased  in  a 
direct  ratio  with  the  amount  of  the  subsidence ;  so  that  the  less 
the  latter  the  less  was  the  former,  and  it  is  a  self-evident  proposi 
tion  that  the  less  the  tension  the  greater  would  be  the  force 
necessary  to  break  the  rocks  asunder.  Therefore,  when  the 
great  thrust,  or  press,  on  the  strata  from  the  east  came  into 
effect,  it  found  the  strength  of  the  beds  on  the  eastern  border 
of  this  southern  basin  so  much  impaired,  that  it  crushed  up 
the  formations  adjacent  thereto,  breaking  them  into  a  number 
of  faults  of  great  magnitude,  which  extend  along  the  southern 
border  of  West  Virginia,  and  are  nearly  coextensive  with 
this  depression,  and  its  prolongation,  southward,  while  in  the 
north,  the  rocks,  not  being  in  this  very  tense  state,  were  not 
broken,  but  the  Alleghanies  and  the  country  to  the  west  were 
thrown  into  a  series  of  folds,  which  became  less  and  less 
abrupt,  as  they  would  -naturally  do,  the  further  and  further 
we  get  from  the  primary  force. 

The  gradation  of  faults  to  folds,  is  well  seen  in  the  most 
westerly  of  the  former,  which  passes  just  west  of  Peters 
mountain,  in  the  southern  part  of  the  State,  and  is  seen  near 
Caldwell  Station,  in  Greenbrier  county,  at  the  Chesapeake  and 
Ohio  Railroad  trestle,  over  Monroe  branch.  In  the  former 
place  it  brings  the  Silurian  rocks  agaist  the  Vespertine,  while 
in  the  latter  it  becomes  so  small  that  only  the  highest  members 
of  the  Devonian  abut  against  the  Vespertine. 

From  this  we  can  see,  that,  as  the  strata  were  elevated  along 


RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA.  189 

this  most  western  fault,  their  flank  would  raise  the  country 
to  the  west  as  a  whole,  and  give  it  a  gradual  slope  at  right 
angles  to  the  line  of  elevation,  and  as  the  latter  was  northeast 
and  southwest,  so  the  former  would  he  northwest.  This  is 
really  the  case,  for,  from  this  range  on  the  eastern  edge  of 
Greenbrier  to  the  Ohio  river  the  formations  have  one  continual 
northwest  downgrade,  save  here  and  there  where  they  become 
nearly  horizontal,  and  there  is  no  good  evidence  after  we  get 
away  from  the  immediate  vicinity  of  the  fault,  that  a  single 
reversal  of  dip  comes  in  during  the  whole  distance.  In  the 
eastern  portion  of  this  vast  extent  of  territory,  denudation 
and  erosion  have  carried  oft  the  upper  strata,  and  east  of 
Little  Sewell,  all  of  the  Lower  Coal  Measures  have  disappeared. 
Going  west,  the  rocks  dip  faster  than  the  plane  of  erosion, 
and  thus  we  get  successively  into  higher  and  higher  strata, 
so  that  Gauley  mountain  .is  sufficiently  high  to  catch  nearly 
all  of  the  lower  coals.  Below  the  Kanawha  Falls — the  dip 
still  continuing — the  conglomerate  passes  out  of  view  ;  a 
short  distance  west  of  Charleston,  the  Lower  Measures  in  their 
turn  sink  below  water  level,  and  near  Pocatalico  some  14  miles 
further  on,  the  highest  member  of  the  Lower  Barrens  is  lost  to 
sight,  as  it  goes  beneath  the  bed  of  the  Kanawha. 

Between  these  extremes,  of  gently  inclined  formations  in 
the  south,  and  folded  strata,  in  the  north,  must  be  an  inter 
mediate  area  where  the  one  passes  into  the  other. 

As  the  depression  of  the  southern  basin  became  less  and  less 
as  it  went  northerly,  the  tension,  and  therefore  the  cause  for 
the  faults  diminished,  so  that  somewhere  about  opposite  Hun- 
tersville,  in  Pocahontas,  this  system  begins  to  cease,  and  north 
of  a  line  drawn  from  the  northeast  corner  of  Greenbrier  to  the 
northern  part  of  Pleasants,  the  strata  commence  to  appear  in 
folds,  and  as  we  proceed  towards  the  Pennsylvania  line  and 
away  from  the  modifying  influence  of  the  faulted  country,  so 
these  anti-clinals  become  more  and  more  marked. 
NKSV  RIVER  COALS;. 

In  Mercer  county,  in  the  valley  of  the  Blue  Stone  river,  are 
extensive  beds  of  bituminous  co-el,  which  would  seem  to 
belong  to  the  sub-Conglomerate  Measures,  and  are  here  devel 
oped  to  a  greater  thickness  than  in  any  other  portion  of  the 
State.  The  examinations  in  this  county  have  not  been  sum- 


190  RESOURCES   OF    WEST  VIRGINIA. 

ciently  in  detail  to  enable  us  to  state  the  number  of  tbe 
seams  but  it  may  be  mentioned  that  the  thickest  one  reported 
is  11  feet,  although  nothing  is  said  as  to  the  amount  of  clay 
partings  in  it, 

In  Summers  county,  in  the  hills  on  the  opposite  side  of  New 
river  from  Hinton,  a  6-foot  seam  of  coal  has  been  opened  some 
800  feet  above  the  stream,  and  indications  would  seem  to 
point  out  that  it  is  the  same  as  the  seam  presently  to  be  spo 
ken  of  as  worked  at  Quinnimont. 

A  carefully  observed  section  of  the  strata  on  New  river  was 
made  by  Prof.  Wm.  M.  Fontaine,  at  Quinnimont,  and  on 
Piney  river  two  miles  below.  The  observations  were  begun 
at  the  former  place  at  the  base  of  the  hill,  for  the  sake  of 
obtaining  as  much  as  possible  of  the  Umbral  shales.  As  the 
strata  dip  westerly,  Nos.  1  and  2  of  these  are  carried  below 
water  level,  so  that  at  Piney,  the  foot  of  tbe  hill  shows  only 
the  bottom  of  No.  3.  The  measurements  marked  ''not  seen" 
were  obtained  from  observations  elsewhere,  or  were  given  by 
Mr.  S.  F.  Morris,  the  engineer  at  Quinnimont  : 

CM  BRAL  SHALES. 

1.  Rod  shales,  thinly  laminated,  visible.' 

2.  <  iray  calcareous  sandstone- 

0.  Variegated    shales,    with     nodnles    of     carbonate    of     lime    near 

the  top 70 

Total  for  umbral 1  10 

TRANSITION  STRATA    OR  PASSAGE  ROCKS,   FROM   THE  UMBRAL  TO 
THE  CONGLOMERATE  SERIES. 

Feet. 

1.  Thinly  laminated  grey  tUigrs  and  calcareous  shales,  with  impure 

Coal  near  the  top ^0 

2.  Black  fissile  slates  and  sandstones 20 

Total  for  transition "0 


RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA.  191 

CONGLOMERATE  SERIES  OX  PINKY. 

Fret. 

1.  Lower  conglomerate 80 

2.  Black  slate  with  U  loot  Coal  bed  (not  seen) 11 

3.  Olive  colored  murlytes  passing   into    olive  and  reddish 

sandstones 100 

4.  (Wand  slate.  1  ft.  0  in.  ] 
Sandstone.         8    "    8    "    | 

G)«7,  0    "    8    "    1- 13 

Slate,  2    "    H    "    I 

Coal,  0    "    8    "   j 

5.  Bright  red  shales  and  marlytes 30 

G.  Variegated  marlytes 40 

7.  Ferruginous   limestone 

8.  Sandstones 75 

9.  Coal  system    with  hiterst  ratifications    of   thin   Coal    and 

slate  at  base,  and  on.  top,  sandstones,  shales,  and  nags SO 

10  Fine  grey  flags  and  sandstones 90 

11.  Coal,  not  fully  seen 2i 

12.  Firm  grey  sandstones 50 

i:;.  Olive   marlytes 40 

14.  Coal  system,  at    bottom   interst  ratifications  of  slate   and 

coal,  one  seam  1  foot  ;  on  top,  Hags  passing  into  firm 
sands-tones SO 

15  Fire  clay,  and  1-foot  Coal  seam  imperfectly  exposed,  given 

as  2  to  4.} -feet  of  impure  splint  coal -  to  4£ 

lt>.  A  thick  mass  of  strata  not  fully  exposed  at  every  point, 
may  be  divided  as  follows :  (1.0a)  sandstone,  50  feet ; 
(Itib)  Coal  seam,  not  seen,  given  as  2  feet ;  (Hie)  bluish 
sandy  slates,  60  feet;  tHkl)  Coal,  not  seen,  given  as  20 
inches;  (Hie)  olive  grey  shaly  sandstones,  40  feet.  Total..  150 

17.  Quinnimont  Coal  series,  which  is  made  up  of  splint  Coal, 

at  bottom,  1  foot  2  inches ;  fire  clay  2A  feet ;  semi-bitu 
minous  Coal,  4  feet.  Total 7jj 

18.  Dark  blue  slate  and  sandstones 80  to  100 

19.  Olive  grey  sandstones  and  shales 100 

20.  Black  slate,  with  some  thin  Coal 10 

21.  Upper,   or  Great  Conglomerate 150  to  200 


Total  for  Conglomerate  Series 1,195 

The  Coal  in  No.  20,  as  seen  at  Quinnimont,  is  only  6  inches 
on  the  outcrop.  In  Feb.,  1875,  it  was  opened,  and  the  first  8 
feet  down  increased  to  3  feet,  and  was  still  improving  when 
this  thickness  was  measured.  It  cokes  well,  and  when  heated 
in  a  pipe  in  a  smith's  forge,  gave  a  clear,  white,  bright  light 
in  such  quantities  as  to  suggest  a  good  gas  coal. 


192  RESOURCES   OF   WEST    VIRGINIA. 

The  4-foot  seam  of  Nc.  17  is  the  most  important  of  this  sec 
tion,  being  the  one  where  the  Quinnimont  Furnace  draws  its 
yupply  of  fuel.  It  is  1,085  feet  above  New  river.  The  coal  is 
a  semi-bituminous,  very  soft  and  friable  and  makes  a  most 
superior  coke,  not  being  excelled  by  even  the  celebrated  Con- 
nelsville  coke  of  Pennsylvania.  It  is,  also,  a  most  excellent 
steam  and  domestic  article,  making  a  very  hot,  red  fire.  It 
will  be  spoken  of  more  fully  in  these  respects,  in  the  the  chap- 
devoted  to  the  quality  of  West  Virginia  coals. 

The  Great  Conglomerate  usually  forms  the  tops  of  the 
mountains  facing  New  river.  As  we  go  back  into  the  country, 
on  each  side  a  second  range  of  hills  very  soon  appears,  and  in 
these  will  be  found  more  coals,  which,  though  usually  accredi 
ted  to  the  Conglomerate  Seiies,  in  reality  belong  to  the  Lower 
Measures.  In  the  vicinity  of  Raleigh  court-house,  southwest 
of  Quinnimont,  on  Buddy's  Mill  tract,  is  seen  one  of  the  lower 
beds  of  this  latter,  which  measures  6  feet  2  inches  of  soft  and 
very  pure  bituminous  coal,  with  shale  overhead.  It  is  seen 
again  on  Loup  creek,  15  miles  from  the  court-house,  on  the 
Fayetteville  road,  at  McCoy's  bank,  where  it  measures  4  feet  10 
inches  in  the  breast,  and  6  feet  on  the  outcrop.  In  neither 
place  are  there  any  partings,  and  it  is  a  most  valuable  seam, 
for  the  most  part  underlying  the  whole  of  the  Raleigh  plateau. 
Some  distance  above  this,  and  about  200  feet  below  the  tops  of 
the  hills,  at  the  head  of  one  of  the  hollows  of  Big  White  Stick, 
occurs  a  4j-foot  seam,  with  no  parting  save  about  1£  inches  of 
coal  dirt  and  sulphur  one  or  two  inches  from  the  roof,  which 
is  shale.  Continuing  in  a  southwest  course  from  here,  the  .. 
Raleigh  plateau  gives  out,  and  we  descend  into  the  valley  of 
the  Marshes  of  Coal,  which,  cutting  far  down  into  the  Con 
glomerate  Series,  are  marked  by  an  absence  of  any  workable 
seams  till  we  cross  over  to  the  Guyandotte  and  Cherry  Pond 
mountains,  on  the  borders  of  Wyoming  and  Boone,  in  the 
upper  portions  of  which  the  Lower  Coal  Measures  and  their  . 
included  seams  again  make  their  appearance;  and  on  Gravel 
Hollow  of  Peach  Tree  creek,  near  the  juncture  of  the  two 
ranges,  four  seams  belonging  to  this  series  have  been  seen,  and 
measure:  . 

No.  1,  3  feet ;  No.  2,  2  feet  8  inches ;  No.  3,  3  feet  3-J  inches  ; 
No.  4,  4  feet ;  all  free  from  partings  and  containing  an  exceed- 


RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA.  193 

ing  pure,  though  friable,  article.  The  distance  between  Nos. 
1  and  2,  and  Nos.  3  and  5,  are  each  about  50  feet,  that  between 
Nos.  2  and  3,  was  not  ascertained.  Several  hundred  feet  above 
No.  4  and  the  gaps  in  the  mountains,  first  a  12-foot,  and  above 
that  a  4-foot  seam  have  been  reported. 

The  deep  valley  position  of  the  head-waters  of  Coal  river  is 
not  fully  appreciated  until  the  observer  stands  on  the  moun 
tains  last  mentioned,  where,  being  Home  2,000  feet  above  the 
streams  below,  he  has  the  whole  country  spread  at  his  feet, 
and  sees  that  the  plateau  of  Raleigh  court-house  forms  a  high 
eastern  rim  of  the  Marsh  Fork  basin,  and  is  far  above  its  level, 
while,  looking  across  this,  he  can  note  the  country  rising  into 
White  Oak  and  Flat-Top  mountains,  over  which,  so  great  is 
the  elevation  of  the  observer,  can  be  distinguished  the  blue 
out-line  of  Peter's  mountain  in  Virginia. 

Passing  Irom  this  point  in  a  west-southwest  direction  into 
Wyoming  and  McDowell,  the  hills  become  lower  than  the 
Guyandotte  mountains,  though  still  high  enough  to  contain 
not  only  the  Conglomerate  Series  but  a  portion  of  those  above. 
This  country  is  accredited  with  seams  as  thick  as  12  feet,  but 
there  are  no  reliable  observations  to  justify  more  than  a  mere 
mention  of  this  fact. 

Returning  now  to  Quinnimont,  and  proceeding  towards  the 
tier  of  hills  back  from  the  river,  the  same  seams  observed  in 
the  Raleigh  plateau  ought  to  be  found.  However,  as  they 
have  never  been  examined,  their  thickness  is  a  matter  of  con 
jecture,  but  as  Big  Sewell  mountain  has  a  far  greater  height 
than  the  region  immediately  to  the  southwest  of  the  river,  it 
will  contain  a  good  deal  more  of  the  Lower  Coal  Measures,  and 
hence  more  seams  may  be  expected.  Continuing  northeast 
into  the  western  part  of  Nicholas,  and  into  Wrebster,  the  gen 
eral  elevation  of  the  country  is  below  Sewell,  consequently 
the  hills  contain  only  lower  strata,  and  the  hill  tops  west  of 
the  Forks  of  Cherry  river  are  made  up  of  the  conglomerate, 
all  the  upper  coals  having  been  denuded  off,  and  on  Hominy, 
Cherry,  Cranberry,  Williams,  and  the  heads  of  Gauley  and 
Elk  rivers,  are  to  be  found  only  the  conglomerate  coals,  very 
thin  and  very  unimportant.* 

'••The  largest  seam  that  we  know  of  in  the  this  region  is  3  feet  7  inches.  It  i* 
seen  on  Panther  run.  of  Gauley  rivor,  near  the  bridle-path  from  Kentucky  to 
the  Promised  Land, 

25 


194  RESOURCES   OF   WEST    VIRGINIA. 

Resuming  the  northwest  line  of  examination,  the  New 
river  basin  becomes  more  shallow,  and  the  strata  begin  to  feel 
the  effects  of  the  dying  out  of  the  faults,  and  the  beginning 
of  the  folds  on  the  eastern  border  of  the  State,  and  we  notice 
that  they  hrctme  more  tilted,  so  that  when  we  reach  Rich 
mountain,  in  Randolph,  they  are  very  much  steeper  than 
when  seen  on  New  River. 

This  line  of  observation  from  Wyoming  to  Randolph  has 
been  chosen  because  it  is  about  the  eastern  edge  of  the  Lower 
Coal  Measures,  while  that  of  the  conglomerate  series  may  be 
said  to  be  a  line  joining  Rich  mountain  and  Flat-Top,  as 
explained  in  the  beginning  of  this  chapter. 

Returning  row  to  Quinnirnont,  the  course  of  observation 
leads  us  down  New  River.  To  better  appreciate  the  dip  of 
the  strata,  a---,  we  go  west,  I  will,  whenever  possible,  refer  to 
the  one  horizontal  line  of  tide  water,  so  that  it  will  be  plainly 
seen  how  any  individual  stratum  becomes  lower  and  lower. 
In  some  cases  these  figures  will  not  be  exact,  but  very  close 
approximations,  not  varying  more  than  15  or  20  feet  from 
reality. 

About  16  miles,  by  railroad,  below  Quinnimont,  in  the  hill 
opp  site  Dimmock  station,  two  seams  have  been  exposed.  By 
aneroid  measurement,  they  are  437  and  703  feet  respectively 
above  New  river,  and  both  in  the  conglomerate  series.  The  first, 
by  the  side  of  the  path  going  up  the  hill,  is  4-J  feet  thick,  with 
no  partings,  and  a  very  pure  and  fine  bituminous  coal,  much 
harder  than  the  average  of  the  New  river  coals.  The  second 
one  is  a  few  feet  above  the  level  of  Rush  creek,  which  mouths 
at  Dimmock,  measures  o  feet  of  clear  coal,  and  was  worked  by 
Gary  Bibbs. 

Twenty  miles  from  Quinnimont,  by  the  railroad,  at  the 
mouth  of  Ephraim's  creek,  the  following  seams  were  opened 
by  J.  A.  McGuffin,  Esq.,  Superintendent  of  the  Longdale  Coal 
and  Iron  Company: 


RESOURCES    OF    WEST   VIRGINIA. 


195 


Estimated 
Heights  Above 
Tidewater. 

Heights  above 
New  River. 

Thickness  of 
Seams. 

1,020 
1  555 

0 
535 

New  River  Level  
No  1  Seam  

2  feet,    0  inches 

1  655 

635 

2 

1     "      0      " 

1  695 

675 

3              

>     «      6      " 

1  707 

687 

4               

)     "      8       " 

1  807 

787 

5               

>     "      6      " 

1  907 

887 

6               

[     "      0      " 

2,135 
2  185 

1,115 

1  165 

About  the  top  of  tht 
Great  Conglomerate- 
No.  7  Seam 

4     "    10 

2,375 

1,355 

•'    8       "       

4     "      6       " 

No.  5  of  the  table  is  the  seam  worked  at  Quinnimont,  but 
here  dwindled  to  2ij  feet.  At  that  place  it  is  2,250  feet  above 
tide,  while  here  it  is  only  1,807  feet— a  dip  of  443  feet  in  a 
straight  line  of  10  miles,  or  44  feet  to  the  mile. 

No.  7,  the  first  seam  of  the  Lower  Coal  Measures,  is  the  only 
one  worked  at  this  place.  The  mine  is  about  a  mile  further 
down  the  river,  and  a  quarter  of  a  mile  above  Sewell  depot, 
and  shows  at  that  place  an  average  thickness  of  3J  feet,  yi eld 
ing  a  very  soft  and  tender  coal  that  makes  a  most  excellent 
coke,  which  is  used  by  the  Longdale  Coal  &  Iron  Co.  in  their 
furnace  at  Longdale,  Alleghany  county,  Va.  The  first  open 
ing  on  the  seam  was  at  the  place  noted  in  the  section,  but  a 
nipping  down  of  roof  caused  an  abandonment  of  the  work. 

Ten  miles  below  Sewell,  at  Hawk's  Nest,  on  the  land  of  the 
Gauley  Kanawha  Coal  Co.,  the  following  partial  section  has 
been  made  : 


i 

!i 

"&! 

«s 

> 

0 

r&     ~" 
03    0 
t> 

^ 

&C| 
'Sfc 

l"~l 

Thickness  of 
Seams. 

751 

928 

0 

177 

Level  of  New  River. 
No  1  Seam,  about 

2  feet  0  inches 

1,351 
1,729 

600 

978 

Top  of  Conglomerate  on  East  side 
of  Mill  Creek. 
No.  2  Seam  Bituminous 

11    "     0      " 

1,929 

1,178 

3              Splint  (?) 

3  ^o  4  feet 

2,079 

1,328 

4               . 

4  feet  8  inches 

2,163 

2,220 

1,412 
1,469 

5              Splint  and  Cannel  
6                

10    "     0      " 
3    "     6      " 

2,353 

1,602 

7              Splint  

9    "     0     "   ' 

2,363 

1,612 

Black  Flint  Ledge. 

196  RESOURCES   OF   WEST    VIRGINIA. 

In  comparing  this  with  the  section  at  Sewell,  the  top  of  the 
Conglomerate  falls  from  2,135  feet  to  1,351  feet,  or,  as  the 
straight  line,  measured  on  the  dip,  is  between  8  and  9  miles, 
so  the  dip  will  be  between  97  and  85  feet  per  mile.  This  has 
brought  the  Conglomerate  so  low  that  Gauley  mountain,  as  it 
rises  above,  catches  1,000  feet  of  the  Lower  Coal  Measures. 

•Seam  No.  1,  seen  on  the  railroad,  going  up  Mill  creek,  is  the 
Quinnimont'that  has  dipped,  from  an  elevation  of  2,250  feet, 
at  the  place  whence  it  derives  its  name,  to  928  feet  at  the  pre 
sent  point  of  observation. 

Seam  No.  2  is  the  one  now  operated  by  the  Gauley  Kanawha 
Coal  Co.,  at  the  head  of  West  Lakes  Branch,  a  fork  of  Mill 
creek.  It  produces  a  very  fine  and  pure,  hard,  bituminous 
coal,  and  has  four  partings  in  it,  measuring  10,  3,  3,  and  5,  in 
ches,  respective]}^.  These  vary  in  different  parts  of  the  mine, 
some  of  them  getting  thinner  as  the  work  is  carried  to  the 
northwest,  till,  on  the  other  side  of  the  mountain,  the  com 
pany's  engineer  reports  that  the  seam  shows  9  feet  of  clear  coal 
in  one  bench. 

Nos.  3,  4,  and  6,  have  not  been  worked  at  all. 

No.  5  was  opened  for  the  sake  of  its  Cannel,  which  is  of  a 
very  poor  quality.  Beginning  at  the  floor  this  seam  shows  : 

Coal,  2  feet;  Slate,  2  inches;  Coal,  2  feet ;  Slate,  2  inches  ; 
Coal,  10  inches  ;  Slate,  2  feet  10  inches ;  Coal,  2  feet. 

No.  7.  The  opening  on  this  shows  magnificent  splint,  having 
in  it  17  inches  of  bony  or  bad  coal. 

The.  Black  flint  Ledge,  which  is  nearly  at  the  mountain  top, 
has  usually  been  taken — by  myself  and  others — as  the  top  of 
the  Lower  Coal  Measures,  which  would  therefore  have  a  thick 
ness  of  about  1,000  feet.  To  do  this,  however,  is  wrong,  for  on 
the  Kanawha,  in  the  vicinity  of  Paint  creek,  at  least  200  feet 
of  strata  that  contain  valuable  workable  beds  come  above  it, 
arid  above  these  appears  the  Mahoning  sandstone,  which,  six 
miles  above  Charleston,  at  Maiden,  *  is  140  feet  thick,  accord- 

*  At  this  place  the  Mahoning  rests  on  the  Flint,  showing  that  as  we  come 
west,  the  intermediate  strata  give  out.  AVhether  the  reverse  of  this  is  true,  as 
we  go  east  towards  the  Hawk's  Nest,  is  not  known,  as  there  are  no  data 
from  which  we  can  reason,  for  the  Mahoning  is  every  where  above  the  tops  of 
the  hills.  In  fact  the  sections  in  the  vicinity  of  Paint  creek  are  not  sufficiently 
in  detail  to  enable  us  to  say  if  it  is  found  even  there,  and  future  observations 
may  show  that  the  strata  between  it  and  the  Flint  are  even  thicker  than  have 
been  given. 


RESOURCES   OP   WEST   VIRGINIA.  197 

ing  to  Prof.  W.  B.  Rogers,  so  that  to  the  measurement  at 
Hawk's  Nest  could  be  added  some  340  feet  before  the  Lower 
Barrens  would  be  reached,  making  the  Lower  Coal  Measures  of 
this  country  1,340  feet  thick. 

In  the  section  given  for  Hawk's  Nest,  not  all  of  the  coals  of 
the  Lower  Coal  Measures  are  shown,  but  only  those  which 
have  been  exposed  and  measured  by  the  company  working  the 
property  ,  and  the=e  show  no  less  than  6  workable  seams,  with 
an  aggregate  thickness  of  30i-  feet  of  solid  coal,  exclusive  of 
partings. 

Continuing  our  observations  down  New  river  and  into  the 
Kanawha  valley,  we  see  the  Conglomerate  sinking  lower  and 
lower,  till  at  Kanawha  Falls  it  is  but  a  short  distance  above 
the  stream,  leaving  all  the  mountains  rising  above  made  up 
wholly  of  the  Lower  Coal  Measures,  and  a  short  distance  be 
low  Loup  creek  it  sinks  below  the  water  level  to  rise  no  more 
until  the  north-western  margin  of  the  Alleghany  basin  is 
reached  in  the  State  of  Ohio. 

THE  KANAWHA  COALS. 

The  main  body  or  principal  thickness  of  the  Lower  Coals  may 
be  said  to  have  their  practical  eastern  margin  in  Gauley 
mountain,  for  beyond  this  the  strata  rapidly  rise  above  the 
hills,  and  are  lost  in  the  air,  leaving  only  the  lower  seams  as 
found  in  the  Raleigh  plateau  and  the  adjacent  country.  A 
line  drawn  from  the  mouth  of  Elk  river,  in  a  northwest 
direction,  passing  near  the  mouth  of  Big  Otter,  in  Clay 
county,  is  the  general  western  boundary,  for  the  Mahoning 
sandstone  comes  down  to  water  level  on  or  about  this  course. 
Throughout  the  whole  of  the  distance  across  this  area  are  to 
be  found  various  seams  of  the  very  finest  qualities  of  splint, 
cannel,  and  bituminous  coals.  The  steep  hillsides  readily 
expose  them  ;  the  country  is  cut,  and  counter-cut  in  all  direc 
tions  by  numerous  streams,  up  which  narrow-gauge  railroads 
can  be  run  with  the  most  favorable  grades ;  there  are  no  faults 
to  seriously  interfere  with  the  operations  of  the  coal  miner, 
and  the  merchant  and  manufacturer  can  find  every  class  of 
fuel,  save  anthracite  that  they  may  need  lor  the  use  and  com 
fort  of  mankind.  In  no  other  part  of  the  Appalachian  coal 
field  are  the  Lower  Coal  Measures  developed  to  such  an  extent. 


198  RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA. 

contain  a  greater  number  of  workable  seams,  or  more  varie 
ties  of  coals,  or  better  or  purer  fuel. 

After  leaving  Hawk's  Nest,  the  next  important  disclosure 
has  been  made  by  the  Cannelton  Coal  Company,  9  miles 
below  the  Kanawha  Falls.  A  partial  section  of  the  hill  shows 
7  seams  above  water  level.  Beginning  at  the  river  : 

Sfam  No.  1,  bituminous  coal,  is  4  feet  thick,  but  not  worked. 

Seam  No.  2,  .some  100  feet  above  the  river,  is  about  7  Teet 
thick  on  the  average,  has  two  slight  partings,  and  produces  a 
gas  coal  of  so  high  a  grade  as  to  make  it  rank  one  of  the  most 
valuable  beams  of  the  Kanawha  Valley.  This  same  bed  is 
worked  just  across  the  river  by  the  Coal  Valley  Coal  Com 
pany.  A  half  mile  below  Cannelton  it  is  opened  again,  but 
not  worked,  and  shows  6  feet  3^  inches,  with  3  inches  of  shale 
2  feet  from  the  floor. 

Seams  Nos.  3  and  4,  are  seen  on  the  path  leading  from  the 
old  opening  on  No.  2  to  the  "  Stockton  Seam,"  No.  6.  They 
measure  3J  and  4  feet  on  the  outcrop,  and  have  never  been 
worked. 

Seam  No.  5,  is  splint  coal,  5  feet  thick,  and  not  worked. 

Seam  No.  6,  is  8  or  9  feet  above  No.  5,  750  feet  above  the 
river,  and  1,350  feet  above  tide.  On  an  average  it  is  7  feet 
thick  in  the  mine,  and  is  made  up  of  cannel  coal  at  the  bot 
tom,  which  averages  about  3  feet  6  inches,  and  is  very  vari 
able,  and  a  splinty  bituminous  coal,  known  in  market  as 
"  Cannelton  Splint,"  on  top.  The  whole  seam  is  now  worked, 
though  for  a  long  time  only  the  cannel  was  shipped.  This 
and  Peytona  cannel  quote  higher  in  the  eastern  markets 
than  any  other  American  cannel. 

The  Black  Flint  Ledge  is  12  to  14  feet  above  No.  6,  or  767 
feet  above  the  river,  and  1,367  feet  above  tide. 

Seam  No.  7,  shows  8  feet  thick  near  the  mouth  of  the  open 
ing  ;  with  14  inches  of  slate  10  inches  from  the  floor,  leav 
ing  6  feet  of  clear  coal  above.  This  last  is  a  mixture  of  hard 
bituminous  and  splint,  yielding  a  first  class  article  for  steam, 
domestic  wants,  and  use  in  the  raw  state  in  the  blast  fur 
nace, 


RESOURCES  OF  WEST  VIRGINIA. 


199 


A  recapitulation  of  these  seams  shows  that  there  is  here, 
above  water  level, — 
No.  1 4    feet 


3i 
4 


b .   / 

7 8  , 

38*  feet. 
Including  the  partings,  which  are  small. 

Paint  creek  empties  into  the  Kanawha  from  the  south  side, 
5  miles  below  Cannelton.  In  the  hill  at  the  mouth  of  the 
Left-Hand  Fork,  about  4  miles  from  the  river,  the  following 
section  was  made  in  lS73.  The  height  above  tide  is  obtained 
by  allowing  Paint  creek  a  fall  of  20  feet  per  mile,  and  adding 
the  result  for  4  miles  to  the  elevation  of  the  mouth  of  the 
creek,  which  is  570  feet  above  tide. 


Height  above 
Tidewater. 

Height  above 
the  Creek. 

Thickness  of 
Seams. 

650 

690 
702 
713 
742 
763 
778 
857 
892 
950 
959 
997 
1,020 
•  1,037 
1,080 
1,113 
1,166 
1,208 
1,274 
1,285 
1,295 
1,317 
1,341 
1,624 

0 

40 
52 
63 
92 
113 
128 
207 
242 
300 
309 
347 
370 
377 
420  . 
453 
506 
548 
614 
625 
635 
657 
691 
974 

Le\ 
tl 
I: 

Sea 

Bla 

Sea 

Toi 

el  oi 
le  m 
^and 
m,  > 

ckF 
in,]S 

< 

)0f 

Paint  Creek  at 
outh  of  the  Left 
Fork, 
'o.  1 

2  feet,    6  inch 
3            0      ' 
2           0      ' 
3            6       < 
2            0       ' 
2            0      ' 
Out      Crop 

i 

2  feet,    6  inch 
Out  Crop 
6  feet,    0  inch 
3            6 
11            4 
4            0 
4            0 

3             6 
2             0 
Out  Crop 

2 

3 

4  

5 

6 

8 

9 

10 

11  . 

12  

13           

14  

15  

16  

17  

18  

lint  Ridge. 
ro.  19 

'     20      . 

'     21 

Hill. 

Total  thickness,  inclucl- 
ing'partings  

51  feet,  10  inch 

200 


RESOURCES   OF    WEST   VIRGINIA. 


There  are,  in  this,  8  seams  3  feet  thick  and  over,  measuring 
38  feet  10  inches,  including  the  partings  that  may  be  present. 

The  next  section  is  made  5  miles  below  the  mouth  of  Paint 
creek,  on  the  land  of  Col.  Wm.  Dickinson,  opposite  Coalburg. 
It  is  complete,  showing  every  seam  in  the  hill. 


_0 

v^       j£ 

bOO) 

c  CH 

~  '^~ 
.?« 

563 
589 
(508  \ 
626  J 
655 
685  1 
7331 
819 
884 

Qtt 

0 
26 
45.V 
63£ 
92 
122} 
170| 
256 
321 

2Q9 

Le 

•< 

vel  of 
im,  Is 

Kanawlia  Iviver. 
o.    1  

•> 

0 

4... 

f>  

6..  . 

s 

<» 

Thickness  of 

Seams. 


,046-1 

,085 

.131 

^2181 
1^393 I 


4731 

4831 

522" 

568 

582J 

055  i 


830  A 


10 

11 

12 

13 

Black  Fl  nt  Ledge. 

Seam,  ISTo.  14 

"  15 .., 

Top  of  Hill. 


4  feet 


6  in  dies 

I) 

0 

0 

(j 

7 

0 

0 

0 

0 

6 

(J 

6 


Total  thickness  of  seams ...|54  feet,  3  inches  . 


The  top  seam.  No.  15,  shows  4^  feet  of  coal  at  the  bottom, 
then  2  feet  of  slate,  4J  feet  of  coal,  2  feet  of  slate,  and  2  feet 
of  coal.  In  mining,  the  upper  2  feet  of  slate  would  mo?t 
probably  be  left  as  the.  roof,  so  that  this  would  leave  9  feet  of 
workable  coal  out  of  the  15  feet.  This,  together  with  the 
other  eight  seams,  3  feet  thick  and  ovej,  and  including  what 
partings  may  be  present  therein,  gives  an  aggregate  thickness 
of  41  feet  3  inches. 

At  Cannelton,  seam  No.  2,  (7  feet  thick)  is  about  667  feet 
below  the  Black  Flint  ledge,  and  belo\v  No.  2  is  a  4-foot  seam 
(No.  1).  Assuming  that  this  well  marked  stratum  of  flint 
has  this  same  relative  position  to  the  seams  below  it  in  the 
last  two  sections  (the  Dickinson  and  Paint  .creek)  in  the 
Paint  creek  measurement,  the  7-foot  seam  should  be  42  feet 


RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA. 


201 


below,  and  in  the  Dickinson  section,  85  feet  below  water  level. 
The  4-foot  seam  is  of  course  still  lower,  but  whether  these 
thicknesess  continue  from  Cannelton  to  the  other  points, 
only  an  actual  sinking  to  them  can  determine. 

SYNOPSIS    OF    THE    SECTIONS   OF  THE    LOWER  COAL  MEAS 
URES  ON  THE  KANAWHA  AND  NEW  RIVERS. 


Locality. 


a  .a  *  i 

1  j»,^3  o    | Aggregate   Thickness  of 
Nature  of  the  Sections.        +a  C        Seams,  including  part- 


:  '"o_S  ^ 
1  ^ 

:      3,5   '* 

I     £ 

| 

i 

Hawk's  Nest 

Partial 

g 

41  ft.  2  in.,  to  4'J  ft.  2  in. 
38  "   (>  " 
•38  "  10  " 

141  u   3  " 

Cannelton  
Paint  Creek.... 

Oppoisite 
Coal  burg  

Partial  above 
Water  Level  

Complete  above 
Water  Level  

s 

Complete  above 
Water  Level  

9 

Other  sections  could  be  given,  but  these  are  deemed  suffi 
cient  to  show,  better  than  could  any  words,  the  great  richness 
of  the  Lower  Coal  Measures  in  this  region,  and  I  would  call 
especial  attention  to  the  uniformity  that  exists  in  the  aggre 
gate  thickness  of  workable  seams.*  In  tbis  connection  it  is 
well  to  state  that  as  we  recede  from  the  Kanawha  river  to 
wards  the  heads  of  the  many  creeks  which  flow  into  it  from 
each  side,  the  seams  become  thicker.  I  have  personally  no 
ticed  this  up  Paint  and  Campbell's  creek,  and  on  Gauley  river, 
8  or  9  miles  from  its  mouth.  But  more  openings  and  extended 
observations  will  have  to  be  made  to  enable  me  to  say  posi 
tively  whether  this,  as  a  general  thing,  is  so,  or  whether  the 
increase  may  not  be  confined  to  individual  localities.  To 
elucidate  such  important  points  as  this,  is  one  great  argu 
ment  in  favor  of  the  necessity  of  a  careful  State  geological 
survey. 


"Taking  the  specific  gravity  of  coal  at  1.3,  40  feet  would  give  48,000  tons  pet- 
acre,  from  which,  if  even  one-third  is  deducted  for  partings  and  waste  in  min 
ing,  there  would  still  Be  left  32,000  tons  per  acre,  which,  at  12%  cents  royalty, 
the  common  oue  iu  the  district,  would  givean  income  of  $4,000  to  the  OWIHT. 


202  RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA. 

From  Hawk's  Nest  to  Cannelton,  (20  miles  by  river  and  10 
miles  on  the  dip),  the  Black  Flint  Ledge  falls  1,000  feet,  or 
about  100  feet  per  mile.  Continuing  down  the  Kaiiawha  it 
becomes  very  much  flatter,  and  in  some  cases  horizontal,  until 
Burning  Springs,  21  miles  further  down  the  river,  is  reached, 
and  from  that  point  to  where  it  disappears  below  the  water, 
(8  miles  by  road  and  some  6  miles  on  the  dip),  it  once  more 
resumes  its  slope  of  100  feet  per  mile  to  the  mouth  of  Elk 
river,  at  Charleston.  Between  these  extremes  of  Gauley 
mountain  on  the  east,  and  Charleston  on  the  west,  these  Lower 
Coals  have  an  average  width  of  about  thirty  miles,  and  a  point  a 
little  below  the  mouth  of  Paint  creek  is  about  the  centre  of  the 
belt.  Drawing  a  line  North  60  degs.  East  and  South  60  degs. 
West,  receding  from  each  side  of  the  Kanawha  into  Nicholas, 
Cla}r,  Braxton,  and  Webster,  on  the  one  hand,  and  Boone,  Lin 
coln,  Logan,  and  Wayne,  on  the  other,  these  vast  amounts  of 
coals  still  continue  to  be  found,  and  in  every  direction  abun 
dant  evidence  of  them  is  discovered ;  sometimes  they  form 
the  bed  of  a  stream,  or  crop  out  to  view  in  the  cliffs  and  steep 
mountain  sides ;  in  other  places  they  are  exposed  by  slides  on 
the  hills,  and  are  everywhere  indicated  by  the  presence  of 
lumps  of  coal  lying,  smooth  and  water  worn,  in  the  beds  of 
the  creeks.  Going  North  30  degs.  West,  or  South  30  degs.  East, 
from  this  axis,  the  Measures  rise  in  the  latter  case  till  they 
pass  into  the  air  above  the  hills,  while  in  the  former,  they 
gradually  dip  below  the  water  level,  and  are  lost  to  sight, 
though  shafting  will  still  reach  them  in  many  counties  where 
at  present  they  lie  untouched. 

The  Lower  Barren  Measures  on  the  Kanawha. — Of  these  very* 
little  can  be  said  beyond  the  fact  that  they  have  been  estima 
ted  at  700  feet  thick,  and  probably  contain  one  workable 
seam  of  5  or  6  feet,  as  seen  at  the  head  of  Two  Mile  creek,  of 
the  Kanawha,  some  3J  miles  from  the  river.  On  Elk  river, 
above  Clay  court  house,  in  Clay  and  Braxton,  they  become  of 
great  importance,  from  the  fact  they  bear  several  beds  of  valu-r 
able  Iron  Ore,  which  are  now  worked  by  the  Elk  River  Iron 
and  Coal  Company.  Mention  will  be  made  of  those  in  the 
chapter  on  Iron. 

THE  UPPER  COAL  STRATA  OF  WEST  yillGINIA.       / 

Having  now — perhaps  at  the  risk  of  prolixity — described 


RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA. 


203 


those  portions  of  West  Virginia  which  have  to  look  to  the 
Lower  Coal  Measures  for  their  fuels,  we  would  draw  attention 
to  those  sections  where  the  Upper  Coal  Measures  form  the  im 
portant  series. 

On  reaching  the  upper  limit  of  the  Lower  Barrens,  the  cir 
cumstances  which  gave  rise  to  the  enormous  development  of 
the  Lower  and  Conglomerate  Measures  seem  to  have  ceased, 
and  in  the  south  the  formation  of  new  strata  was  slow,  but  in 
the  north  very  fast,  so  that,  while  in  the  former  case  there  were 
only  about  400  feet  of  Upper  Coals  and  Upper  Barrens  form 
ing  ;  in  the  north,  as  in  Monongalia  county,  about  600  feet  of 
the  former,  and  some  1,200  feet  of  the  latter  were  deposited. 
There  is  also  another  marked  difference  between  the  two  sec 
tions,  viz.:  on  the  Kanawha  the  Upper  Measures  contain  prin 
cipally  shales,  no  limestone  of  any  great  consequence,  and 
only  one  workable  coal  seam* — the  Pittsburgh — which,  at 
Raymond  City,  measures  6J  feet ;  while  in  the  north — as  in 
Monongalia — they  contain  heavy  ledges  of  sandstone,  some  8 
or  9  strata  of  limestone,  aggregating  50  or  60  feet,  and  often 
yielding  most  excellent  limes,  both  hydraulic  and  agricul 
tural;  and  five  workable  coal  seams,  having  an  aggregate 
thickness  of  28  to  33  feet,  and  containing,  as  a  rule,  fewer 
partings  than  exist  in  the  larger  seams  of  the  Lower  Coals  on 
the  Kanawha.  In  the  Upper  Barrens  there  is  no  evidence 
that  any  coal  seams  exist  in  the  south,  but  in  the  north  there 
are  several,  though  none  are  workable. 

As  might  be  expected  from  what  has  been  said,  all  the 
mines,  save  only  the  Austin  in  Preston  county,  in  the  north 
ern  portion  of  the  State,  are  on  the  seams  of  the  Upper  Meas 
ures  ;  while  in  the  south,  with  the  exception  of  the  Raymond 
Coal  Company,  and  the  Oak  Ridge  Coal  Company,  in  Putnam 
county,  and  the  Hartford  City,  &c.,  mines,  in  Mason  county, 
all  working  the  "  Pittsburgh,"  the  present  mines  look  to  the 
Lower  Coal  and  Conglomerate  Measures  for  their  supply. 

In  preparing  the  following  account  of  the  Upper  Coal 
Measures,  we  are  largely  indebted,  especially  in  the  general 
description  of  the  beds,  to  Prof.  J.  J.  Stevenson,  Professor  of 
Geology  in  the  University  of  New  York,  and  of  the  Geologi- 

*Tliere  may  be  one  or  two  more,  but  on  this  nothing  definite  can  be  said  till 
the  country  is  more  thoroughly  explored. 


204  RESOURCES    OF    WEST    VIRGINIA. 

cal  Survey  of  Pennsylvania,  who  has  paid  more  attention  to 
them,  as  developed  in  this  State,  than  any  one  else. 

The  Upper  Coal  Region  embraces  all  that  portion  of  West 
Virginia,  in  which  the  exposed  rocks  overlie  the  Pittsburgh 
coal  bed.  The  eastern  and  southern  limits  are  marked  by  the 
outcrop  line  of  that  coal,  which  passes  through  Monongalia, 
Marion,  Taylor,  Barbour,  Upshur,  Braxton,  Clay,  Kanawha, 
Putnam,  and  Cabell  counties,  and  crosses  the  Ohio  river  in  the 
vicinity  of  Guyandotte.  Westward  this  area  extends  into 
Ohio,  and  northward  into  Pennsylvania.  Its  northern  line 
crosses  the  Ohio  river  near  Steubenville. 

No  close  survey  of  this  region  has  ever  been  made.  Its 
eastern  limit  was  studied  out,  and  several  reconnoissance  lines 
were  run  across  it  by  the  State  Surveyors  during  the  survey 
under  Prof.  W.  B.  Rogers,  but  only  scanty  references  to  the 
work  N  ere  made  in  the  annual  reports.  Almost  the  only 
material  respecting  this  region  now  accessible,  is  to  be  found 
in  the  brief  memoirs  published  by  Prof.  Stevenson,  in 
1872-3-5,  and  these  refer  exclusively  to  the  northern  portion. 

Within  this  region,  a  small  area,  embracing  the  greater 
part  of  Ritchie,  Wirt,  Wood,  and  PJeasants  counties,  has  been 
deprived  of  the  coals  by  the  oil  break.  The  effects  of  this  dis 
turbance  extended  westward  to  the  Ohio  river,  from  a  line  pass 
ing  almost  N.  and  S.  through  Ellenboro,  on  the  Parkersburg 
Branch  of  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  railroad.  How  far  this 
line  extends  north  and  south  from  that  place  has  not  been 
determined.  Aside  from  this  limited  space,  the  whole  region 
is  underlaid  by  the  coals  of  the  upper  group  :  but  as  the  thick 
ness  of  the  rocks  in  this  series  is  not  far  from  1,800  feet,  where 
fully  exposed,  the  more  important  beds  are  so  deeply  buried  in 
some  counties  that  many  years  must  pass  before  they  can  be 
made  available.  All  the  coals  attain  their  greatest  thickness 
between  the  Pennsylvania  border,  near  the  Monongahela 
river  and  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  railroad,  and  diminish 
somewhat  rapidly  southward,  so  that  before  reaching  the 
Parkersburg  and  Staunton  pike,  in  Lewis  and  Gilmer,  they, 
with  the  exception  of  the  Pittsburgh,  have  become  compara- 
tively  worthless. 

The  principal  coals  of  the  upper  series  are  known  as  the 
Pittsburgh,  Redstone,  Sewicklcy,  Waynesbury  and  Washington, 


RESOURCES   OF  WEST    VIRGINIA.  205 

having  received  these  names  from  localities  in  Pennsylvania. 
Besides  these,  several  other  beds  occur,  but  as  they  barely  cross 
the  line  from  Pennsylvania  into  West  Virginia,  and  never 
become  of  any  value  in  that  State  or  this,  it  is  unnecessary  to 
make  farther  reference  to  them  here. 

Of  all  these,  the  Pittsburgh  alone  maintains  its  importance 
throughout,  as  far  as  the  examinations  go.  The  availa 
ble  area  of  this  bed,  therefore,  is  of  economical  interest,  and 
we  give  its  limits  in  detail,  as  observed  by  Prof.  Stevenson 
in  1874 : 

The  eastern  limit  of  the.  Pittsburgh  bed,  and  therefore  of  the 
Upper  Coal  Measures,  aside  from  small  outlying  areas,  is 
marked  by  a  line  beginning  on  Cheat  river,  near  the  Pennsyl 
vania  border,  in  Monongalia  ccunty,  and  extending  west  of 
south  to  Fairmont,  in  Marion  county,  crossing  the  Tygart's 
Valley  river  a  little  distance  above  that  town ;  thence  irregu 
larly  to  Pruntytowii,  in  Taylor  county,  where  it  turns  east  by 
south  to  Flemitigton.  From  this  point  it  follows  a  south  of 
southeast  course  almost  to  Tygart's  Valley  river,  thence  south 
ward,  crossing  the  Buckhannon  river  near  the  Upshur  county 
line.  There  it  again  turns  east  by  south,  and  so  continues 
almost  to  the  Middle  Fork  of  that  river,  where  it  is  changed 
to  southwest,  which  is  maintained  to  the  line  between  Upshur 
and  Lewis  counties.  From  this  point  to  where  it  crosses 
Pocotalico -river,  near  the  Great  Kanawha,  in  Putnam  county, 
it  has  not  been  followed.  The  extreme  eastern  exposure 
occurs  in  Upshur  county,  on  the  Staunton  pike,  about  five 
miles  east  from  Buckhannon. 

The  western  limit,  or  the  line  along  which  the  coal  passes 
below  the  surface,  cannot  be  given  accurately  without  entering 
into  great  detail,  as  it  is  farther  east  or  west,  as  the  case  may 
be,  according  to  the  depth  to  which  the  streams  have  eroded 
their  channel-ways.  The  extreme  limit  may  be  regarded  as 
marked  by  a  line  which  begins  at  the  Pennsylvania  line, 
about  four  miles  west  from  the  Monongahela  river,  and  crosses 
that  river  about  a  mile  below  Fairmont.  It  lies  a  little  west 
from  the  West  Fork  River,  and  crosses  Harrison  county  from 
Shinnston  to  Wolfe's  Summit,  on  the  railroad ;  thence  it 
passes  southwestward  through  Lewis  county,  reaching  Gilmer, 
near  Troy,  on  the  Staunton  pike,  and  the  Little  Kanawha,  just 
below  Glenville, 


206  RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA. 

Owing  to  the  abruptness  of  the  Laurel  Hill  anticlinal,  the 
area  is  very  narrow  at  the  north,  hardly  more  than  six  or  seven 
miles  wide,  but  southward  this  fold  becomes  gentler  and  the 
area  rapidly  widens,  until,  along4the  Staunton  pike,  the  coal  is 
available  for  a  distance  of  nearly  40  miles.  The  coal  has  its 
greatest  thickness,  ten  feet,  at  the  Pennsylvania  line,  and 
diminishes  south  and  southeast,  becoming  only  five  feet  at 
Glenville,  and  barely  four  feet  at  Buckhannon. 

In  the  Ohio  Pan-Handle  the  same  coal  is  available.  There 
it  is  known  as  the  Wheeling  coal.  Openings  in  it  are  numer 
ous  from  Moundsville  to  a  little  way  above  Steubenville. 

MONONGALIA   COUNTY. 

The  Pittsburgh  Bed  is  worked  on  both  sides  of  the  Mono'nga- 
hela  river,  and  varies  in  thickness  from  eight  to  somewhat 
more  than  ten  feet,  in  this  estimate  is  included  only  the 
workable  portion,  for  above  that,  and  separated  from  it  by  clay 
is  a  roof-division,  which  is  from  zero  to  four  feet  thick.  The 
coal  in  this  county  is  quite  variable  in  quality,  but  for  the 
most  part  is  an  excellent  fuel.  It  is  hardly  equal  to  that  ob 
tained  from  the  same  bed  at  Connellsville,  in  Pennsylvania. 

The  Redstone  Coal  is  exceedingly  variable.  In  this  county  it 
is  exposed  on  both  sides  of  the  Monongahela  river,  near  the 
Pennsylvania  line,  where  it  is  from  three  to  four  feet  thick. 
In  some  localities  it  is  a  little  better  than  a  richly  bituminous 
shale,  while  in  others,  not  far  distant,  it  is  one  of  the  hand 
somest  coals  in  the  whole  trough  west  of  the  Alleghanies.  No" 
sulphur  is  usually  apparent  to  physical  examination,  but 
chemical  analysis  shows  that  it  is  present  to  the  extent  of 
from  1.75  to  2.8  per  cent.  The  coke  is  hard  and  bright,  but 
sometimes  shows  as  much  as  2.85  per  cent,  of  sulphur,  which, 
however,  seems  to  be  present  in  combination  with  lime  and 
magnesia,  and  not  as  sulphide  of  iron,  and  consequently  will 
not  be  so  injurious  for  iron  making. 

The  Sewickley  Coal  is  from  70  to  100  feet  above  the  Pittsburgh, 
and  is  quite  as  variable  as  the  Redstone.  It  is  very  thin  where 
exposed  east  from  the  Monongahela  river,  but  west  from  that 
stream,  it  is  a  very  valuable  bed.  On  Robinsonrs,  Dent's  and 
Scott's  runs,  it  is  found  varying  from  4  to  6  feet.  A  parting 
of  cannel  occurs  at  irregular  distances  from  the  base.  The  coal 
is  comparatively  free  burning,  would  bear  shipping  well,  and 


RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA.  207 

contains  from  1.5  to  3  per  cent,  of  sulphur,  which  exists  mostly 
as  sulphate  of  lime  and  magnesia,  and  not  as  iron  pyrites,  and 
is  not,  therefore,  as  deleterious  as  the  percentage  would  seem 
to  indicate.  It  is  a  very  handsome  coal,  and  in  many  places, 
says  Prof.  Stevenson,  is  well  fitted  for  gas  making. 

The  Waynesburg  Coal  is  a  very  persistent  seam,  but  is  marked 
by  a  constant  diminution  southward,  so  that  like  the  last  two 
beds,  it  becomes  of  no  economical  value  whatever.  It  is  found 
from  190  to  nearly  400  feet  above  the  Pittsburgh,  the  interval 
being  greatest  near  the  Pennsylvania  line. 

It  attains  its  greatest  thickness  in  West  Virginia,  in  this 
county,  where  it  is  a  double  bed,  occasionally  triple.  The  total 
thickness,  including  the  clay  partings,  varies  from  6  feet  8 
inches  to  nearly  10  feet.  The  clay  sometimes  thins  out  so  as  to 
be  barely  perceptible,  while  at  others,  it  thickens  up  and  forms 
a  "horseback,"  which  is  grievously  annoying  to  the  miners. 

MARION    COUNTY. 

Tlie  Pittsburgh  Coal  has  been  mined  very  extensively,  and 
shipped  for  use  iu  the  manufacture  of  gas,  for  which  purpose 
it  ranks  very  high.  The  bed  in  this  county  varies  from  7  to 
10  feet  thick,  and  averages  8  feet,  and  shows  no  roof  division. 
The  percentage  of  sulphur  is  much  larger  than  in  the  Yough- 
iogheny  coal,  but  compensation  for  this  drawback  is  found  in 
the  fact  that  it  yields  a  much  greater  amount  of  gas  per  ton. 
Experiments  have  been  made  to  ascertain  the  value  of  this  as 
a  coking  coal,  but  they  have  not  proved  altogether  satisfactory. 
The  coke  is  very  compact  and  handsome,  in  these  respects  ex 
celling  the  Connellsville,  but  the  percentage  of  sulphur  is  so 
great  as  to  render  it  utterly  unfit  for  use  in  smelting  iron, 
even  when  mixed  with  Connellsville  in  the  proportion  of  two 
to  one.  It  is  a  very  excellent  steam  coal,  but  the  distance 
from  the  eastern  cities  prevents  it  going  on  those  markets  as 
such. 

The  Redstone  Coal,  about  80  feet  above  the  last,  is  from  3  to 
6  feet  thick,  and,  as  far  as  one  may  judge  from  the  outcrop,  it 
is  a  good  article. 

The  'SewicJdey  Coal  is  from  100  to  150  feet  above  the  last,  and 
verages  3  feet  thick. 

Tlie  Waynesburg  Coal,  as  seen  in  the  eastern  portion  of  the 
county,  is  high  up  in  the  hills,  and  only  3  to  4  feet  thick. 


208  RESOURCES    OF    WEST    VIRGINIA. 

Further  northwest  along  the  railroad,  it  is  mined  for  local  use. 
It  is]extremely  variable  in  character,  showing  from  2  to  4  bench 
es  of  coal,  of  which  the  bottom  one  varies  from  3  to  4  feet. 

TAYLOR  COUNTY. 

The  Pittsburgh  Coal. — In  the  southwestern  portion  of  this 
county,  this  underlies  some  10,000  acres,  of  which  5,000  acres 
are  now  owned  by  foreign  capital,  and  the  rest  by  the  farmers 
whose  land  it  underlies.  It  is  found  high  up  in  the  rolling  or 
hill  lands,  and  is  about  9  feet  thick,  yielding  an  article  of  high 
reputation  for  gas,  and  producing  an  excellent  coke.  It  is  now 
worked  by  the  Tyrconnel  and  the  Flemington  Mines. 

This  seam  appears,  Irom  the  reports  on  it,  to  be  so  high, 
that  the  hills  do  not  catch  the  other  seams  that  lie  above  the 
Pittsburgh,  though  below  it  we  find  three  coal  beds,  measuring 
5,  4  and  3^  feet,  respectively.  At  the  mouth  of  Lost  run,  on 
the  Tygart's  Valley  river,  there  is  also  reported  a  7-foot  seam 
of  cannel  and  bituminous,  the  former  being  2  feet  thick  (and 
of  very  inferior  quality),  18  inches  from  the  roof.  The  infor 
mation  concerning  all  these  is  not  suHicient.to  enable  .them 
to  be  identified. 

HARRISON    COUNTY. 

The  Pittsurcjh  Coal  in  this  county  is  mined  extensively  at 
Clarksburg,  Wilsonburg,  and  Coketon  for  shipment.  Here  it 
shows  the  same  defects  and  excellencies  as  at  Fairmont.  The 
percentage  of  sulphur  is  considerable,  but  the  amount  of  vola 
tile  combustible  matter  is  very  great.  At  Clarksburg  the  bed 
is  8  feet  10  inches ;  at  Wilsonburg,  from  7  feet  6  inches  to 
8  feet  4  inches,  and  at  Coketon,  from  5  feet  to  7  feet.  This  is 
a  solid  mass,  broken  about  midway  by  a  thin  parting  of  clay. 
Above  this  the  coal  is  hard,  but  below,  it  is  soft.  The  base 
for  about  one  foot,  is  usually  poor  and  not  marketable.  This 
feature,  however,  is  characteristic  of  the  bed  throughout  its 
whole  extent.  We  have  been  unable  to  learn  that  any  careful 
attempts  have  been  made  to  test  the  value  of  this  as  a  coking 
coal.  Pyrites  is  largely  present,  but  it  occurs  mostly  as  lumps 
which  are  easily  separated.  The  larger  portions  can  easily  be 
removed  as  the  coal  is  taken  out,  and  washing  would  take  out 
the  rest.  The  coke  is  so  handsome  that  the  experiment  is  well 
worth  trying.  The  Pittsburgh  disappears  at  Wolf's  Summit, 
on  the  railroad,  where  it  is  six  feet  thick.  From  this  point 


RESOURCES   OF   WEST   VIEGI^IA.  209 

to  within  one  eighth  of  a  mile  of  Ellenboro,  it  is  at  no  place 
more. than  400  feet  below  the  surface,  and  from  Long  Run  to 
West  Union,  it  can  be  reached  at  less  than  200  feet. 

The  Redstone  Coal  may  be  seen  at  several  localities  along  the 
railroad,  but  varies  so  in  thickness  as  to  be  utterly  useless. 
At  Wilsonburg  it  is  one  foot  thick  and  twenty-five  feet  above 
the  Pittsburgh;  while  at  Coketon  it  is  four  feet  thick  and 
twenty  feet  above  that  coal ;  and  at  Wolfe's  Summit  it  is  only 
three  inches  thick.  On  the  Staunton  pike  it  could  not  be 
found. 

Seicickly  Coal. — The  "  blossom ''  of  this  has  not  been  obser 
ved  north  of  the  railroad.  At  Clarksburg  it  is  found  70  feet 
above  the  Pittsburgh,  and  2J  feet  thick,  but  no  attempt  has 
been  made  to  ascertain  its  character.  At  Wolfe's  Summit,  8 
miles  west  of  Clarksburg,  it  is  only  2  inches  thick,  and  one  the 
Staunton  pike  it  has  not  been  found. 

Waynesburg  Coal.— Of  this  we  have  no  information. 

MARSHALL,  OHIO,   AND  BROOKE  COUNTIES. 

In  Marshall,  the  Pittsburgh  Coal  is  worked  as  far  south  as 
Moundsville,  though  at  that  place  it  is  a  little  below  water 
level.  As  we  go  south  it  could  easily  be  reached  by  shafting. 
As  we  come  north  it  rises  above  the  level  of  the  Ohio  river, 
and  is  extensively  mined  in  the  vicinity  of  Wheeling  for 
steam  and  puddling  uses.  The  working  portion  of  it  here 
averages  about  5  feet.  Above  this  comes  in  a  slate  parting 
from  J  to  26  inches  thick,  and  then  the  roof  coals,  which  are 
from  24  to  20  inches,  divided  in  the  middle  by  a  thin  slate 
parting,  which  often  swells  to  6  or  8  inches.  It  is  available 
as  far  north  as  Steubenville,  being  within  easy  reach  in  many 
localities  in  Brooke  county.  The  Redstone  and  SewicUy  seams 
in  this  district  are  usually  almost  worthless.  The  latter  is 
separated  into  two  beds,  of  which  the  upper  is  occasionally  2 
or  3  feet  thick.  This  is  mined  near  Triadelphia,  in  Ohio 
county,  but  is  of  only  local  importance.  The  Waynesburg  is 
very  thin  in  this  portion  of  the  State,  seldom  more  than  2 
feet  thick  and  always  of  poor  quality. 

The  following  section  of  Chapline  hill,  at  Wheeling,  made 
by  Messrs.  Hubbard  and  Gilchrist,  may  be  interesting  as 
showing  the  seams  of  coal  that  have  been  discovered  in  this 
locality : 

27 


210  RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA. 


Character  of  Seam.  Thickness. 

I  I  .  •  J 


07 


88 

90 

202 


249 


No.  1.  Pittsburgh  Seam,  the  lower  5  feet  workable,! 
and  the  rest  of  slates  and  roof  coals  not  worked...!?  to  9  ft. 

Ab.  2.  Divided  near  the  middle  by  a  slate  parting, 
the  portion  below  being  but  little  better  than  a 
bituminous  shale.  At  Jim's  Run,  5  miles  south,! 
this  seam  is  4  feet  9  inches,  making  a  fair  fuel  for! 
domestic  use j:}  ft. 

No.  3.  In  two  layers,  separated  by  a  4  inch  parting. I 
The  lower  layer  is  14  inches.  The  #eam  is  not 
worked  in  this  vicinity ;2  ft.  4  in. 

No.  4.     Coal ! |i  ft. 

Ab.  5.     Coal J8  in. 

No.  0.  One  foot  of  the  lower  part  is  an  impure  can- 
nel,  while  the  upper  portion  is  a  block  coal,  and  isj 
good  for  domestic  uses , |3';  ft. 

No.  7.     Slate  parting  in  th  e  mid  die 1 1 1  f  t . 

No.  8.  Mas  a  5-inch  parting  near  the  middle.  Lo-j 
cally  used  for  domestic  purposes,  but  is  not  a  de-', 

sirable  coal [5  ft. 

\No.  9.     Coal ._ |        9  in. 

LEWIS   COUNTY. 

The  Pittsburgh  Coal  is  accessible  along  the  Staunton  Pike 
all  across  the  couuty.  It  varies  from  4J  feet  to  nearly  8  feet, 
the  thickness  increasing  northward,  though  at  one  open 
ing  on  the  Pike  it  approaches  the  maximum.  It  is  worked 
only  to  supply  local  Demands. 

Of  the  Redstone,  Sewickley,  and  Waynesburg  Coals  in  this 
county,  we  have  no  information,  though  they  no  doubt  exist. 

GILMEB  COUNTY. 

The  Pittsburgh  Coal  in  this  county  is  from  5  to  5J  feet.  The 
quality  is  good,  but  it  seems  to  have  rather  more  sulphur  in 
it  than  at  Clarksburg,  though  no  analysis  has  been  made  to. 
definitely  settle  this  point.  As  is  the  case  in  Lewis  county,  it 
is  worked  only  to  supply  the  local  demands.  Of  the  Re  stone 
and  Sewickly,  we  have  no  information  beyond  the  fact  that 
they  exist,  but  of  the  thickness  nothing  is  said. 

The  Waynesburg  Coal  is  rarely  more  than  2  feet  thick  in  this 
county. 


RESOURCES    OF    WEST    VIRGINIA.  211 

UPSHUR  COUNTY. 

In  this  county  the  openings  on  the  Pittsburgh  ar  •  quite 
numerous  in  the  vicinity  of  Buckhannon,  where  the  thickness 
varies  from  3  feet  9  inches  to  4  feet.  Farther  north,  near  the 
Barbour  county  line,  it  is  5  fe:-t  6  inches.  The  quality  is 
superior,  and  no  doubt  the  coal  would  prove  well  \vorlh  work 
ing  for  market,  notwithstanding  its  thinness. 

Of  the  other  seams  of  the  Upper  Coal  Measures  we  can  state 
nothing,  except  the  fact  that  they  exist,  but  of  the  thickness 
and  quality  there  are  no  reports. 

DODDRIDGE    COUNTY. 

Here  the  Pittsburgh,  Redstone,  and  Sewicldy  Coals  seem  to  be 
below  water  level,  and  would  have  to  be  reached  by  shafting. 

The  Waynesburg  Coal.-^-A.n  opening  is  seen  near  the  Bait.  & 
Ohio  R.  R.,  just  west  from  Wolfe's  Summit,  where  the  coal  is 
4  feet  thick  and  divided  mid-way  by  a  parting  of  clay.  At  a 
little  beyond  this  it  goes  under,  but  is  s?-en  again  near  the 
mouth  of  Long  Run,  and  is  available  thence  to  West  Union, 
there  being  numerous  openings  along  the  railroad,  It  is 
mined  at  W<  st  Union,  where  it  is  in  three  benches,  and  has  a 
total  thickness,  including  the  clays,  of  4  feet.  The  middle 
bench  is  31  inches  thick. 

BRAXTON,  CLAY,  CALHOUN,   KOANE,  AND  KANAWHA  COUN 
TIES. 

In  portions  of  Braxton,  Clay,  and  Kanawha,  that  lie  north 
west  of  Elk  river,  and  in  southern  Calhoun  and  Roane,  the 
seams  of  the  Upper  Coal  Measures  exist  above  water  level, 
but  it  is  impossible  to  speak  of  their  quality  or  thickness,  as 
no  explorations  have  ever  been  made  in  these  districts. 

PUTNAM  COUNTY. 

The  Pittsburgh  Coal,  is  worked  at  Raymond  City  and  Oak 
Ridge,  containing  in  the  former  case  an  average  of  6  feet  2 
inches  of  workable  coal  in  the  lower  bench,  and  in  the  latter 
about  4  feet. 

Of  the  other  coals  but  little  is  known. 

CABEL.L  AND  MASON  COUNTIES. 

Here  the  Pittsburgh  is  seen  cropping  out  along  the  Ohio.  At 
the  Hartford  Coal  Company  Mines  it  is  from  5  to  6  feet  thick, 
but  in  the  main  portions  of  the  counties  it,  as  well  as  the 
others,  are  below  water  level,  and  would  be  reached  by  shaft- 


212  RESOURCES   OF   WEST    VIRGINIA. 

ing.  At  West  Columbia,  in  Mason,  it  is  100  feet  above  the 
river,  and  has  a  seam  about  2  feet  thick,  70  feet  above  and  30 
feet  below  it. 

THE  OTHER  COUNTIES  ALONG  THE  OHIO. 

In  these  and  Wirt,  and  the  main  portions  of  Roane,  Cal- 
houn,  and  Ritchie,  all  the  coals  would  have  to  be  reached  by 
shafting.  In  Wetzel,  on  Fishing  Creek,  we  find  a  seam 
reported  10  feet  thick,  and  in  Tyler,  some  of  the  Upper  Coals 
may  be  above  water  level,  and  in  Cabell  the  Pittsburgh  out 
crops,  but  beyond  these  facts,  we  know,  at  this  time,  nothing 
definite  concerning  their  values. 

Above  the  four  seams  that  have  been  described  as  occurring 
in  the  Upper  Coal  Measures,  is  found  a  fifth  one,  called 

The  Washington  Coal,  which  seems  to  be  confined  to  the 
northern  half  of  the  State.  It  is  often  3  feet  thick,  and  is 
found  at  from  300  feet  to  nearly  600  feet  above  the  Pittsburgh, 
the  smallest  interval  being"  along  the  Parkercburg  Branch 
of  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  railroad.  It  is  referred  to  here 
simply  because  it  is  of  local  importance  as  a  source  of  supply, 
where  all  the  other  coals,  already  described,  are  so  deeply 
buried  as  to  be  unavailable,  except  at  great  expense.  It 
occurs  in  Monongalia,  Marion,  Wetzel,  Doddridge  and  eastern 
Ritchie,  as  well,  no  doubt,  as  in  Tyler.  Xo  examination  of 
the  latter  county  has  been  made,  so  that  a  definite  statement 
respecting  the  availability  of  the  coal  in  it  is  impossible.  The 
coal  from  this  bed  is  poor,  very  slaty,  and  contains  much  sul 
phur.  At  the  same  time,  as  it  is  frequently  quite  thick,  it  is 
a  source  of  fuel  not  to  be  despised,  especially  when  the  Pitts 
burgh  is  several  hundred  feet  under  the  surface. 

In  this  Upper  Coal  Series  we  find  in  the  northern  tier  of 
counties  a  great  mass  of  limestone,  which  grows  thinner  and 
poorer  southward.  It  is  represented  by  a  few  thin  and  earthy 
beds  on  the  Parkersburg  Branch  of  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio 
railroad,  but  has  almost  completely  disappeared  in  the  south 
ern  portion  of  the  Upper  Coal  Region.  This  limestone  is 
finely  exposed  along  the  Ohio  river  in  the  vicinity  of  Wheel 
ing,  where  it  has  been  quarried  for  use  as  a  flux  in  iron  smelt 
ing.  Some  of  the  layers  are  well  adapted  to  this  purpose,  and 
others,  which  are  injurious  as  flux,  yield  a  very  fair  hydrau 
lic  cement  if  carefully  prepared, 


RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA.  213 

COAL  IN  THE  EASTERN   PART  OF  THE  STATE. 

On  page  163,  the  general  eastern  boundary  of  the  coal  field 
was  given,  but  it  was  mentioned  that  small,  though  unim 
portant,  patches  of  coal  are  found  still  more  easterly.  We  see 
these  in  Greenbrier  and  Pocahontas  counties,  in  the  valley  of 
the  Greenbrier  river,  but  the  coal -5  occur  in  the  geological 
formation  next  below  the  true  Coal  Measures,  and  are  called  the 
"  Vespertine  Coals,"  because  they  are  found  in  the  geological 
horizon  of  that  name.  There  are  several  seams,  but  all  thin, 
and  worthless,  though  one  them  has  a  local  expansion  of  3 
feet  on  the  land  of  D.  C.  B.  Caldwell,  near  Ronceverte  Depot, 
in  Greenbrier  county.  A  short  distance  from  this  place,  at 
the  railroad  bridge  over  the  river,  it  has  split  up  into  a  num 
ber  of  strings,  and  is  of  not  the  slightest  value.  ,Near  the 
White  Sulphur  Springs  are  several  exposures  of  these  seams, 
but  they  are  of  no  account  because  of  their  thinness. 

In  Pocahontas,  west  of  the  Cranberry,  Black  and  Elk 
mountains,  the  seams  that  may  be  present  belong  to  the  true 
Coal  Measures,  though  it  is  extremely  problematical,  whether 
they  are  here  of  any  value,  for  to  the  west,  on  Williams'  river 
and  the  east  side  of  Gauley,  they  are  thin  and  unimportant. 

In  Randolph  county,  between  the  Alleghanies  and '  Cheat 
Mountain,  and  in  .Tucker  county,  between  its  eastern  bound 
ary  and  the  Backbone  mountain,  "there  are  vague  reports  of 
an  abundance  of  coal  which,  in  all  probability,  will  prove  to 
be  those  of  the  Vespertine  formation,  and  especially 'may  this 
be  said  of  the  latter  county,  for  in  the  geological  reports  of 
Virginia,  made  in  1839,  a  series  of  observations  was  made  on 
Cheat  river  and  the  Black  Fork  thereof,  and  in  not  a  single 
instance  was  a  workable  bed  reported. 

%,-In  Berkeley  county  these  same  coals  are  seen  again,  though 
here  converted  into  anthracite  of  a  very  pure  quality*,  and  in 
sufficient  quantity  to  answer  some  slight  local  demands, ^and 
have,  given  rise  to  many  bright  visions  concerning  their 
importance  in  the  mineral  resources  of  this  county.  In 
March  1876,  they  were  jvisited  by  Mr.  A.  R.  Guerard,  'of  the 
Royal  School  of  Mines,  London,  for  the  State  Board  of  Cen 
tennial  Managers,  and  that  gentleman  reports,  that  "  between 
"  Sleepy  Creekland  Third  Hilljmoun tains,  at  an  opening  on 
u  the  Meadow  Branch,  by  Embry  &  Cushwa,  a  shaft  45  feet 


214  RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA. 

"  deep  has  passed  through  three  reams  from  1  to  3  feet  thick, 
u  and  a  tunnel  from  the  hillside  strikes  a  4-foot  seam  below. 
t;  The  coal  appears  to  be  of  fair  average  quality,  but  some- 
"  what  broken  up  and  intermixed  with  slate.  There  was 
"  nothing  in  this  opening  to  lead  me  to  the  conclusion  that 
u  the  problem  which  has  been  on  hand  for  the  last  40  or  50 
"  years,  as  to  the  coal  being  here  in  paying  quantities,  was  at 
u  last  sitisfactorilv  solved/' 


CHAPTER    X. 

THE    QUALITY    AND   VARIETY  OF    COAL, 
AND  THE  MIXING  ADVANTAGES. 

BY  M.   F.    MA  TRY. 

The  coal  mining  advantages  of  West  Virginia  arise  from 
the  great  number  of  seams  found  accessible  above  water  level, 
and  from  the  fact  that  they  contain  coals  of  various  composi 
tions  adapted  to  all  the  requirements  of  trade  and  manufac 
ture.  The  fat  coking,  gassy  bituminous,  the  hard  and  valuable 
splint,  and  the  rich  and  oily  cannel  in  this  highly  favored 
region/are  found  in  great  purity,  and  made  easily  accessible 
to  the  miner,  through  the  agency  of  running  water,  which 
has  exposed  the  seams  in  thousands  upon  thousands  of 
places,  and  in  consequence  of  this,  and  their  size,  coal,  as  a 
general  rule,  can  be  mined  cheaper,  and  with  more  economy, 
under  the  same  rates  of  labor,  than  in  any  other  part  of  the 
Allegbany  coal  field. 

In  fact,  when  the  northern  portion  of  the  State  was 
wrinkled  into  folds,  and  the  southern  tilted  gently  from  its 
original  horizontal  position,  water,  with  its  vast  planing  and 
eroding  powrer,  washed  off  the  superincumbent  strata,  and  cut 
and  counter-cut  the  country  by  deep  and  narrow  valleys,  thus 
preparing  this  field  with  numerous  objective  points  for  safe 
and  economical  working,  for  it  left  vast  areas  of  the  coal 
measures  above  water,  accessible  at  many  points  by  simply 
removing  from  the  outcrops  of  the  3eams  the  alluvium  that 
has  formed  there  by  the  decaying  work  of  ages. 

This  will  more  clearly  appear  by  a  comparison  of  the  posi 
tion  of  the  coals  here  and  in  Great  Britain  in  this  respect.  • 


216  RESOURCES   OF   WEST    VIRGINIA. 

There  the  coal  is  deep  below  water  level,  and  to  reach  it 
requires  years  of  lahor  and  vast  sums  of  money.  In  its  great 
northern  coal  field,  the  shafts  are  rarely  less  than  150  feet 
deep,  and  many  have  the  great  depth  of  1,800  feet,  sunk  at 
an  expense,  in  some  cases,  of  $240,000,*  while  the  Dukinfield 
colliery  was  taken  down  2,600  feet,  at  a  cost  of  8500,000, 
mainly  to  reach  the  "  Black  Mine  C?oal,"  a  seam  4  feet  8J- 
inches  thick. 

Here  mighty  natural  forces  have  sunk  pits  which  need 
neither  repair  or  renewal.  The  inclination  of  the 
.strata,  coupled  with  the  laws  of  gravity,  have  provided  the 
most  costless,  perfect  and  permanent  pumping  machinery, 
and  the  perfect  ventilation  of  the  mines  is  but  a  matter  of  the 
most  simple  and  ordinary  eare,  as,  except  in  one  or  two 
instances  in.  the  northern  portion  of  the  State,  there  are  none  of 
those  noxious  gases  to  be  dealt  with  which  oftentimes  render 
coal  mining  so  dangerous. 

There  are,  however,  many  districts  where  the  seams  are 
below  the  surface,  though  easily  reached  by  shafting,  but 
when  we  consider  the  number  that  are  over  3  feet  thick,  and 
that  such  an  one  is  workable  and  yields  about  4,800  tons  per 
acre,  it  will  be  seen  that  we  need  not  treat  of  the  deeper  ones, 
for  v\e  have  no  need  to  sink  shafts  at  all,  as  it  will  be  a  long 
time  before  the  cost  of  winning  coals  from  day  levels  will  be 
so  far  raised  as  to  necessitate  other  styles  of  working,  and 
AVest  Virginia  can  justly  be  proud  of  the  numerous  advanta 
ges  it  holds  in  this  respect. 

The  coals  may  be  divided  into  three  great  classes,  viz.: 
Bituminous,  Splint,  and  Cannel. 

.       BITUMINOUS    COAL 

Is  the  most  abundant,  occurs  in  all  portions  of  the  field,  and 
some  of  it  is  found  in  nearly  every  seam  of  the  other  two 
classes.  It  is  the  only  class  worked  in  the  northern  half  of 
the  State,  and  with  but  few  exceptions,  is  the  only  one  of 
value  of  that  region,  so  far  as  present  explorations  show. 

The  Redstone,  Sewickly,  Waynesburg,  and  Washington 
seams  were  shown  in  the  last  chapter  to  be  of  great  impor 
tance  in  the  north,  but  dwindle  down  and  are  little  value, 


H'L  0:1  Uoj.1  to  the  New  York  J^e^islaLure,  18b5.      Pagu  11 


RESOURCES    OF    WEST    VIRGINIA. 


217 


or  are  not  even  found,  as  the  case  may  be,  in  the  southern 
part  of  the' State.  Owing  to  the  general  prevalence  of  the 
more  important  and  valuable  Pittsburgh  seam,  none  of  them 
are  worked  except  to  supply  local  demands,  though  the  coal 
produced  is  often  a  most  excellent  and  superior  article,  though 
varying  in  this  respect  in  different  counties  and  localities,  as 
we  would  naturally  expect  it  should. 

The  following  are  analyses  of  the  first  three  from  Monon- 
galia  county,  near  Morgan  town  :  and  of  the  Redstone,  as  seen 
5  miles  north  of  Fairmont,  in  Marion  county,  on  the  land  of 
R.  S.  Radcliff,  where  it  is  6  feet  4  inches  thick.* 


a 

£  si 

^  c 

,d 

;_ 

§3 

-30 

^0 

SEAM. 

5 

rtj 

Ash.  ! 

ts*z! 

§   != 

i     "^ 

"^  r^        !            "5 

«  n 

(x! 

f—  ^  '^               '^ 

I 

r-*  "^ 

M    -*. 

s 

O               _2 

^               ^ 

£  '  ' 

O   r~ 

Redstone, 

Monongalia  

54.36 

37.  SS 

0.37 

7.391 

2.87 

2.85 

Redstone 

IVIarion 

5033i    4097 

1.01 

4  ^7 

286 

Sewickley 

.  Monongalia  

54.31     35.78 

0.44 

9,47; 

3.10!     2.78 

Waynesbijrg,  Monongalia  

56.36     35.8H      0.74 

7.5o! 

0.70,     0.55 

-  On  these  analyses  Mr.  Dwight  makes  the  following  remark : 
"  The  color  of  the  ash  from  the  Redstone  is  dark  gray,  and  the 
sulphur  in  the  coal  seems  to  be  in  combination  with  lime 
or  magnesia,  and  not  as  sulphide  of  iron;  consequently  it  will 
not  be  injurious  for  iron  making.  The  coke  is  hard  and 
bright.  The  ash  from  the  Sewickley  is  gray,  and  the  sulphur 
seems  to  be  in  the  same  form  as  in  the  last.  The  coke  is  medium 
hard.  From  the  Waynesburg  the  ash  is'  light  buff,  and  the 
coke  moderately  hard." 

The  Pittsburgh  seam  is  the  present  source  of  the  shipping 
coals  of  the  northern  half  of  the  State.  Except  from  the  Po 
tomac  basin,  its  fuel  goes  on  the  market  as  "West  Virginia 
Gas  Coal,  and  for  that  purpose  ranks  among  the  highest  of 
the  United  States,  being  extensively  used  in  the  large  cities  of 
the  Atlantic  seaboard.  But  where  mined  on  the  Potomac,  in 
Mineral  county,  it  has  lost  this  quality,  though  it  is  very 
valuable  and  highly  prized  for  steam,  foundrys,  rolling-mills, 
smiths  work,  &c. 


"These,  and  all  other  analyses  given  in  this  chapter,  are  by  C.  E.  Dwight,  ot 
Wheeling,  unless  some  other  chemist  is  mentioned. 

28 


218  [RESOURCES    OF    WEST    VIRGINIA. 

Where  wrought  by  the  Newburg  Orrel  Coal  Co.,  in  Preston 
county,  this  seam  is  from  10  to  11  feet  thick,  but  only  9  to  9J 
are  worked,  the  rest  being  left  to  support  the  roof.  The 
coal  is  shipped  to  the  eastern  markets  for  gas  purposes,  yield 
ing,  by  the  tests  of  the  Manhattan  Gas  Light  Co.,  of  New 
York,  over  10,000  cubic  feet  j-er  ton  of  15  J  candle  power.  In 
Monongalia  county  it  produces  a  most  excellent  fuel,  which  is 
extensively  used  in  Morgantown  and  various  other  portions 
of  the  county.  It  of'ten  contains  as  much  as  2  per  cent- of  sul 
phur,  which  unfits  it  for  the  manufacture  of  iron  and  coke,  and 
renders  its  value  for  gas  somewhat  doubtful,  though  at  the 
same  time  it  should  be  said  that  analyses  of  coal  exten 
sively  used  for  this  purpose  in  New  York,  show  that  the 
Monongalia  coal  is  not  much  inferior.  But  apart  from  any 
value  it  may  have  for  this,  its  other  excellent  qualities  will 
command  a  ready  market  for  it  when  the  completion  of  the 
locks  and  damson  the  Monongahela  river  give  it  a,  ready 
and  cheap  exit  to  consuming  centres. 

The  Flemington  and  Tyrconnel  mines,  in  Taylor  county,  do 
their  mining  on  the  same  bed,  the  product  of  which,  as  tested 
from  the  latter,  shows  itself,  according  to  the  report  to  the 
company,  by  C.  M.  Cresson,  of  Philadelphia,  to  be  much  supe 
rior  for  gas  making  purposes  to  the  celebrated  Penn  coal  of 
Pennsylvania.  From  the  mines  at  Fairmont,  in.  Marion 
county,  it  goes  on  the  eastern  and  western  markets,  but,  par 
ticularly  on  the  former,  with  an  exceedingly  high  reputa 
tion  for  gas,  and  it  is  also  a  good  steam  generator,  but  at  pres 
ent  prices  the  mines  are  too  far  from  the  seaboard  to  enable 
it  to  bear  the  expense  of  transportation,  for  it  would  have,  to 
come  into  competition  with  the  cheaper  and  less  distant  fuel 
of  the  Cumberland  Coal  Field  of  Maryland. 

To  show  its  rank  in  this  respect,  with  other  coals  from 
other  States,  the  following  table  is  given.  The  Fairmont  coal 
spoken  of  in  it,  was  from  the  West  Fairmont  mines  : 


RESOURCES    OF    WEST    VIRGINIA. 

OFFICIAL  TESTS  OF  COAL, 

At  Chicago  Water  Works. 


219 


|     187U     j 

State. 

*  .    ! 
i  5 

1' 

(Quantity, 

.« 

i  i    §i 

o         sa, 

3       \        3  0> 
0               ^ 

Gallons  of  Wat 
per  Ib.  Coal. 

> 

cS  CJ 

6 
too-o 

;  103-4 
'07-3 

113-7 
114-0 
1114-9 
115-7 
li7-4 
117-6 
117-7 
!  120-5 

155-7 

Name  of 
Coal. 

4  i  f 

I  !  I 

Vfay  '  3  to  "51  Triplet  

HsM 

71-45 
71-10 
50-40 
35-05 
52-55 
54-SO 
54-50 
5*5-50 
1  48-00 
i  •    - 
60-25 
192-0( 

4240 

Ts  ILhs. 
51     360 
75  

521    272 
47|    420 
"5111,950 
51  H,860 
511    140 
5311,510 
49  1  ,1  50 
352!    260 
54  1  1,590 
,285  l,9i)0 

i  44  1,470 

55,563  1  37.110,743 
83,97-'    56,241.28'' 
60,876  i  40..W.071 
49,376'  38,896.  79«" 
63,74Pj  42,581,673 
63,fl52   42,957.960 
68,907:  42,559962 
<J7.::53     |rU'V7.SHS 
49.4  16j  42.2uS.30* 
347.667J3  >o.4.6.8fl6 
69J706   46  80ft,855 
240,083206.293,815 

56,658  47,251,650 

362-f 
374  -J 

389-' 
4  "2-1 
412-4 
413-( 
'416-t 
1419-5 
425-C 
I2fi-* 
'427-0 
437-1 

528-1 

Apr  ..25  to  28i  Willow  Bant... 
"      122  to  23  Briar  Hill  
I              'f-Henco            t 

Ohio".'.! 
Ohio... 

May  ,  5  to   7  Peal  

Apr    23.  to  251  Fort  Pitt 

"      ii8  to  21  S  Pittsburgh  Penna 
"      28  to  80  Walnnt  Hill....  Ohio  ... 

Oct...jl8  to  19iLackawana  iPenna 
Sept.!  9  to  20  1  Hock  ing  Valley  lOhio  ..  . 

May..   1  to   SiCherry  Mines...! 
Sept.    I  to   9!  HockingVallev'Ohio.. 
"    |21  to  ?2!  Fairmont         ..  W.  \* 

In  Harrison  county,  at  the  Despard  and  Murphy's  Run  col 
lieries  it  (the  Pittsburgh  seam)  is  again  extensively  mined  and 
sent  on  eastern  markets  for  the  same  use  as  mentioned  above 
and  is  also  excellent  for  steam,  but  the  same  reasons  that  oper 
ate  against  the  Fairmont  coals  do  not  allow  these  to  be  burnt 
under  the  boilers  of  the  eastern  cities.  Compared  with  the 
Penn  and  Westmoreland  coals,  of  Westmoreland  county,  Pa., 
(which  have  no  superior  in  that  State),  the  gas  from  the 
Harrison  county  coal  is  superior  in  illuminating  power,  but 
not  quite  equal  to  them  in  purity,  requiring  more  lime  in 
purification,  but  this  slight  additional  cost,  say  10  cents  per 
ton,  is  more  than  compensated  for  by  the  higher  illuminating 
power,  coupled  with  the  larger  yield. 

At  and  near  Wheeling,  in  Ohio  county,  this  coal  is  exten 
sively  used  in  the  puddling  furnaces,  but  contains  too  much 
sulphur  for.  gas.  As  worked  on  the  Kanawha  river,  at  the 
Raymond  Mines,  in  Putnam,  it  produces  a  domestic  fuel  of 
the  highest  grade,  and  as  such  goes  on  the  western  markets. 
It  is  also  excellent  for  steam  but  does  not  seem  to  be  in  de 
mand  for  gas,  as  there  is  an  abundant  supply  of  other  more 
noted  coals  for  that  purpose. 

In  Mason  county,  and  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river  in 
the  State  of  Ohio,  it  is  largely  worked,  both  for  consumption 
at  the  salt  furnaces,  and  for  exportation  down  the  Ohio  river. 


220  RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA. 

In  1875,  in  Mason,  there  were  9  nine  mines  in  operation,  produc 
ing  301,000  tons,  of  which  101,000  were  used  at  the  salt  furna 
ces  and  the  rest  was  shipped  to  market. 

Its  quality,  however,  seems  to  have  deteriorated  very  much, 
for  in  the  Cincinnati  market  we  find  it,  as  shipped  from  Pom- 
ery,  quoting  about  2  cents  per  bushel  lower  than  the  coal 
from  Raymond  City. 

The  following  table  shows  the  analyses  of  the  coal  of  this 
seam  from  the  different  localities  just  mentioned : 


RESOURCES    OF    WEST    VIRGINIA. 


221 


222  RESOURCES    OF    WEST    VIRGINIA. 

In  connection  with  these  results,  it  should  be  mentioned 
that  the  analysis  of  the  American  Mine  is  from  the  practical 
workings  on  two  cargoes ;  that  of  the  Despard  from  the  prac 
tical  workings  of  six  months,  and  of  the  Murphy's  Run  coal, 
for  three  days.  The  others  are  laboratory  tests. 

As  showing  the  results  of  locomotive  use  of  the  fuel  from 
this  seam,  the  following  letter  is  very  useful : 
BALTIMORE  AND  OHIO  RAILROAD, 

OFFICE  OF  CHIEF  ENGINEER, 
MARTINSBURG,  W.  VA.,  6  April,  1876. 
M.  F.  Maury,  Esq.: 

DEAR  SIR  : — I  give  you  results  of  observations  on  the  con 
sumption  of  fuel  in  Locomotives  on  this  road: 

first  Division — Baltimore  to  Martinsburg,  100  miles  : 

Weight  of  Engine 72,900  pounds. 

"       "  train 834,000 

Maximum  grade  (per  mile) t 80     feet. 

Minimum  radius  of  curvature 600 

Ascent  westward 1,282 

"        eastward 913        " 

Consumption  of  coal  per  mile  run 60  pounds. 

Coal  was  from  large  vein  near  Piedmont  (in  Mineral 
county). 

Third  Division,  trip  from  Keyser  to  Grafton  and  return,  157J 
miles : 

Weight  of  engine 95,300  pounds. 

"train 831,000 

Maximum  grade  (per  mile) 117     feet. 

Minimum  radius  of  curvature 600 

Ascent  westward .*. 2,518 

eastward 2,334 

Consumption  of  fuel  per  mile  run 134  pounds. 

Coal  was  from  large  vein  near  Piedmont  (in  Mineral 
county). 

Fourth  Division,  Grafton  to  Benwood,  95J-  miles  : 

Weight  of  engine 73,400  pounds. 

"   train 795,000        tf^ 

Maximum  grade  (per  mile) 80     feet. 

Minimum  radius  of  curvature 600 

Ascent  westward 825 

"        eastward 1,167 

Consumption  of  fuel  per  mile  run 90  pounds. 

Coal  was  from  the  mines  at  Fairmont,  (in  Marion  county). 


RESOURCES    OF    WEST    VIRGINIA.  223 

Parkersburg  Branch,  Parkersburg  to  Grafton,  104  miles  : 

Weight  of  engine ' 73,400  pounds. 

"       "  train 600,000    " 

Maximum  grade  (per  mile) 52.8  feet. 

Minimum  radius  of  curvature.... 600 

Ascent  westward 1,644        " 

eastward .' 2,088 

Consumption  of  fuel  per  mile  run. 85 pounds. 

Coal  was  from  the  mines  at  Clarksburg,  (in  Harrison 
county).  Respectfully,  JAMES  L.  RANDOLPH,* 

Chief  Engineer. 

Returning  now  to  the  general  discussion  of  the  quality  of 
the  bituminous  coal  in  West  Virginia,  the  only  seam  of  it  in 
the  Lower  Coal  Measures,  in  the  northern  half  of  the  State, 
that  is  largely  worked,  is  the  Upper  Freeport,  at  Austin,  in 
Preston  county.  It  is  here  8  or  9  feet  thick,  though  only  the 
lower  bench,  say,  4  feet,  affords  in  all  places  a  first-rate  quality 
of  coal,  though  if  mined  on  an  extensive  scale  the  whole  bed 
can  be  utilized.  It  makes  a  clear,  even,  silvery  coke,  suffi 
ciently  hard  to  bear  the  heaviest  burden  of  the  blast  furnace. 
(J.  P.  Lesley).  An  analysis  is  shown  in  the  next  table. 

In  .Upshur,  Randolph,  Barbour,  Taylor,  Monongalia,  and 
Marion  counties,  this  seam  has  been  examined  at  various 
placesf  by  Prof.  Stevenson,  and  while  it  is  often  of  great  thick 
ness,  and  yields  a  good  strong  fuel  for  domestic  use,  i  t  is  usually 
much  contaminated  with  sulphur,  which,  in  many  cases  is  not 
discovered  without  the  aid  of  a  magnifying  glass  or  chemical 
tests.  In  many  places  in  these  counties  it  has  an  inferior 
cannel  associated  with  it. 

On  the  land  of  the  Kingwood  Gas  Coal  and  Iron  Company, 
near  Tunnelton,  in  Preston  county,  several  seams  of  very  ex 
cellent  bituminous  coal  are  found.  An  analysis  of  one  of  4J 
feet  is  shown  in  the  first  two  items  in  the  following  table : 


*These  results  given  by  Mr.  Randolph  are,  I  believe,  for  freight  trains. 
fFor  measurements,  see  description  of  these  counties  in  the  last  chapter. 


224 


RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA. 


c 

0 

"3 

o 

« 

| 

a 

O 

U 

ts 

F* 

j"" 

Remarks. 

rt 

• 

^j 

r^i 

K 

0 

si 

^ 

•g 

T: 

E 

E> 

< 

£ 

OQ 

ce 

Top  of  Seam  
Bottom  of  Seam 

65.66 
66.13 

31.47 
31.19 

2.C3 
2.17 

0.51 

0.58 
0.61 

0.58 
053 

Ash  buff.    Coke 
haul  and  bright. 

Austin  Mine  

66.29 

81.12 

2.48 

0.12 

064 

0.01 

Coke:     medium 

hard.     Is  being  used 

"         "       (Coke) 

87  55 

11.25 

0.54 

0  65 

at  the  Belmont   Fur- 

' 

ind  gives  peneral  sat 

isfaction. 

In  the  Southern  portion  of  the  State  the  bituminous  coal  is 
very  pure  and  hard,  and  often  approaches  splint  so  closely 
that  it  is  almost  impossible  to  draw  a  dividing  line  between 
the  two,  or  to  know  to  which  class  a  certain  seam  may  be  con 
sidered  to  belong.  As  found  here,  its  seams  furnish  admirable 
coals  for  gas,  domestic  use,  and  steam,  and,  where  interstrati- 
fied  with  splint,  for  use  in  the  blast  furnace,  in  the  raw  or 
uncoked  state. 

In  1874,  the  Richmond  (Va.)  Gas  Company  tested  various 
coals  from  the  Kanawha  valley  with  the  following  results: 


—  —  - 

•d 

'-+—  i  ^ 

g 

"i 

"«<N~ 

^ 

Q^ 

^    5-i    rT 

V-^ 

LOCALITY. 

^H 

^  -^ 

0 

'% 

III 

2 

M 

0 

a 

Coalburg  

951 

8,534 

14.5 

Houston  Mining  and  Manufacturing  Cornp'y 

876 

10,281 

17 

J  B  Lewis  &  Co                                       

993 

9,760 

15 

Cannt^ltoii  Coal  Company                          

1,049 

8,892 

14 

Jlampton  City  Coal  Company                   

609 

9,184 

15.5 

Gordon  and  Seal                                         

648 

8,064 

13.9 

H  C  Replier  (Coalmont)       '                   

1,003 

17.1 

Coal  Valley  Coal  Company  



10,080 

17 

"The  coal  from  the  Houston,  Coal  Valley,  and  Coalmont 
"mines,  is  superior  to  any  tested  so  far,  is  more  free  from 
"  slate  and  sulphur,  produces  greater  heat,  yields  more  gas, 
"  and  makes  the  best  coke."  (Report  of  Richmond  Gas 
Works,  1875.) 

In  order  to  better  appreciate  these  figures,  it  should  be  men- 


RESOURCES  0V  WEST   VI&&HU.  225 

tioned  that  the  Penn  Gas  Coal,  which  is  generally  adopted 
as  a  standard  in  the  United  States,  gives  9,856  cubic  feet  of 
gas,  of  14-candle  power,  per  ton,  of  2,240  pounds. 

The  coals  given  in  the  tabl«  are  from  various  localities  in 
the  valley,  the  distance  between  the  extreme  eastern  and 
western  ones  being  15  miles. 

The  tent  of  Coalburg  was  on  the  rich  bituminous  coal  at 
the  bottom  of  the  seam.  The  main  portion  of  the  bed,  which 
is  usually  called  splint  (though  in  reality  a  mixture  of  that 
and  bituminous),  gave,  when  tested  by  the  Chelsea  Gas  Com 
pany,  the  remarkable  result,  for  this  class  of  fuel,  of  10,640 
cubic  feet,  of  17J-candle  power. 

The  coal  from  the  Cannelton  Coal  Company  was  from  the 
splinty  bituminous  division  of  their  cannel  seam. 

The  coal  from  the  lower  5  feet  8  inches  of  the  seam  of  the 
Coal  Valley  Coal  Company  shows  : 

Fixed   carbon 01.602 

Volatile  combustible,  matter ;$;V20:$ 

Ash 1S.73 

Moisture 1.322 

100.000 

Sulphur  in  coal O.t>58 

;    coke 0.865 

Dr.  C.  M.  Cresson,  analysed  the  coal  from  the  same  seam, 
from  just  across  the  river  from  the  land  of  the  Cannelton 
Coal  Company,  and  in  his  report  speaks  of  it  as  ua  bitumin- 
"  ous  coal  of  first  rate  quality,  and  as  especially  adapted  for 
"  gas  making.  It  exceeds  in  /value  for  such  purposes,  the  best 
*'  bituminous  coal  in  use  in  this  or  the  New  .York  market,  by 
"  about  7  per  cent,  and  is  remarkably  free  from  sulphur." 

The  4J  to  5-feet  2-inch  seam,  at  the  old  Winnifrede  mines 
on  Fields  creek,  in  Kanawha  county,  is  bituminous  with  1J 
feet  of  splint  at  the  bottom.  An  analysis  by  Prof.  Locke,  of 
Cincinnati  shows : 

Carbon 68.53 

Volatile  matter 27.01 

Ash ;i.22 

Water 1.24 

An   analysis  from   the   labratory   of  the   Royal  School   of 
Mines,  in  London,  of  the  coal  from  the  11-foot  seam,  worked 
29 


226 


RESOURCES   OF   WEST   VIRC4INIA. 


by  the  Gauley  Kanawha  Coal  Company,  on  Gauley  Mountain, 
in  Fayette  county,  gives  : 


Ash 2.1.",  per  cent. 

Sulpliur 0.74 


Coke <>5.09 

Volatile  matter 8±<>1 

"Water 1.40 

100.00 

Volatile  gas  per  ton,  of  2,240  pounds,  10,100  cubic  feet,  of 
17.9-candle  power. 

Proceeding  east  from  the  Gauley  Kanawha  Coal  Company, 
the  hard  bituminous  coals  disappear,  and  the  serai-bitumin 
ous  come  in.  They  are  almost  altogether  shipped  to  the  east 
ern  market,  and  in  Richmond  quote  50  cents  per  ton,  of  2,240 
pounds,  higher  than  the  coals  from  the  Richmond  field.  They 
make  a  most  excellent  fuel,  but  their  great  value  is  in  the 
admirable  coke  they  produce.  As  mined  at  Sewell  Station,  by 
the  Longdale  Coal  and  Iron  Company,  it  is  mostly  made  into 
coke  for  use  in  the  Company's  furnace,  at  Longdale,  in  Alle- 
ghany  county,  Virginia,  where  they  succeeded  in  reducing 
their  fuel  bill  to  a  little  over  2,200  pounds  of  coke  per  ton  of 
pig  metal  produced. 

At  the  Nuttallburg  Mines,  it  is  extensively  shipped  both 
raw  and  coked,  the  latter  being  done  in  open  kilns.  At  Quin- 
nimont,  it  is  largely  worked  by  the  New  River  Car  Com 
pany,  for  use  in  their  furnace,  on  the  spot,  as  well  as  for  ship 
ment  The  first  of  the  following  tables  gives  analysis  of  the 
coals  from  these  three  localities,  and  the  second  of  tho  cokes. 
In  the  latter  is  added,  for  the  sake  of  comparison^  an  analysis 
of  a  sample,  composed  of  49  different  pieces  of  the  celebrated 
Councils ville  colrc,  of  Pennsylvania  :  ..' 

COALS. 


• 

£ 

MINK.                   3 

r~  r-i 

- 

- 

Cliemist. 

^           ^ 

3 

> 

X 

^ 

Nuttallburu:  0000 

29.59 

1.07 

0.7S     o.:5-l 

(  \  \\.  1  )\visj,'lit. 

Sewoll                                   7%>  :!'; 

%>1  :>s 

5  27 

0.27       1  o:5 

Quinuimont  - 

18.19 

4.  OS 

0.9-1 

J.  I',,  r.riflon. 

COKES. 

Nuttalllmr"-           01.22  7.5:;      0.02 

('.  !<;.  l)\vi«rlit. 

Sewel!  0:500  

0.7:: 

0.27 

Quinnimont,  No.  1  9:5.  85  

0.15 

o.:;o 

,!.  i'».  Brit  (on. 

"           ''         "    2  91.72 

5.57 

0.48 

"           '* 

Connellsville  i>7.40;  

11.  :# 

O.OU 

•'•"••- 

—  .  

RESOURCES   OF   WEST    VIRGINIA.  227 

No.  1,  Quinnimont,  is  of  the^coke  made  from  the  coal,  as 
usually  mined.,,  No.  2  is^of  the  coked  slack,  or  mine  screen 
ings  and  refuse.  The  ash  in  the  Nuttallburg  coal  and  coke 
shows  that  the  former  was  either  a  picked  sample,  or  else  that 
the  latter  was  a  poor  specimen. 

Connellsville  coke  has  obtained  so  high  a  reputation,  and 
justly,  that  there  are^many  persons  prone  to  believe  that  it 
can  have  no  superior,  and  for  such  it  would  be  well  to  state 
that  the  analyses  from  Sewell  and  Quinnimont  were  made  for 
the  private  use  of _the  companies  using  the  coal,  and  that  of 
Nuttallburg  was  made_by  the  State  Board  [of  Centennial 
Managers. 

At  various  points  in.  the  surrounding  counties,  beds  of  this 
variety  of  fuel  are  found  up  to  (>  feet  2  inches  thick,  as,  for  in 
stance,  near  Raleigh  court-house.  Everywhere  that  I  have  ex 
amined  them  they  contain  'the  same  tender,  friable,  rich,  bitu 
minous  coal.  As  far  as  a  physical  examination  goes — for  no 
analysis  has  ever  been  made  from  this  region,  beyond  those 
given — they  are  exceedingly  pure  and  would  make  excellent 
coke,  and  the  seams  have  the  advantage  of  being  very  free 
from  partings. 

^  Returning  to  the  hard  bituminous  coals  of  the  Kanawha 
valley,*!  have  measured  very  many  exposures,  varying  from 
2  to  9  feet,  on  Gauley,  Elk  and  Coal  rivers,  and  their  tributa 
ries.  In  Logan,  Lincoln,  Wayne,  &c.,  are,  also,  many  valuable 
seams  as  shown  in  the  following, analyses,  which  are  from 
Wayne  county,  and  as  far  as  I  can 'learn,  all  that  have 
been  made  for  the  district.  In  the  table  there  is  no  attempt 
to  separate  Splint  from  Bituminous,  the  list  being  given 
merely  to  show  the  general  purity  of  the  coals  ; 


228 


RESOURCES   OF   WEST   VIRGINIA. 


i 

1 

If 
J                   ; 

T  £ 

•  •        ' 

. 

I         r-t 
\         3 

1        I      ;5 

o  ;  II 

LOCALITY. 

a              '.5 

S        |O  O 

Chemist. 

I    ^^ 

0) 

J-» 

i«l 

-j—  i    r*4     j 

?4        1      i 

5J 

TO 

~ 
!  i? 

-^—  ' 

£^                p  —  I 

^Cj 

j     X           "^ 

r=. 

~t^ 

fS1 

,rr 

^  rf 

1  *""     i 

< 

^ 

GO 

OQ 

6 

•v  i 

Mouth  Camp  CVk  (  |  -..  .,-  y-  ,./ 
of  12P6le.          |  56.35  37.60 

6.05 

1.60 

0.57 

0.14 



Worm  ley. 

Stephen's  Br.    of  f    .,n  1ft;  op  (A 
Laurel  of  12  Pole  f  60.1036.40 

o.50 

1.70 

0-72 

0.18 



u 

J 

Tn<*  Fork      61.  181  38.741    1  SS 

0  02 

Taylor 

00.54 

W  (5(j 

2.80 

003 

Cassville  44.89 

43.22 

10.33 

156 

0.824 



'Dwight. 

As  showing  the  thickness  of  the  seams  in  this  portion  of 
the  State,  the  following  measurements  of  outcrops  were  ob 
tained  from  a  report  on  the  coals  of  Twelve  Pole  river,  by 
Prof.  E,  B.  Andrews,  of  the  Ohio  Geological  Survey  : 


So 

Thick 

53 

Am't 

ness 

oi 

LOCALITY. 

Character  of  Coal. 

ot 

(S 

Cl  ear 

Remarks. 

Seam. 

IM 

("oal. 

0 

• 

^0 

Mouth       Carnpf 
Creek        ..    .  f 

Bituminous  

Ft.  In. 
6       4 

2 

Ft.  In. 
5       f> 

fl>ry  burning  and 
1     verjT  pure. 

[• 

Sulphur  Spring) 

Splint 

6       0 

1 

.1        S 

-!  Excellent  quality. 

<-'rcek  \ 

( 

Stephen  'sEr.      ) 

tl 

4        9 

3 

-1        o 

of  Laurel  ( 

•Wm.'  Wiley*      1 
Cove  Creek  f 

Spl't  and  Cannel 

6        6 

6        6 

f  Contains  4  ft.  <J  in. 
"i     Cannel. 

HezekiaTis  Cr'k  > 

«.- 

8        2 

2 

7        3 

(Contains  5  ft.  6  in, 

j     Cannel. 

Brush   Creek  - 

— 

4         1 

1 

o'      10 

j  Contains  2  ft.  0  in. 
1     Cannel. 

The  coals  from  all  of  these  are  spoken  of  in  the  highest 
terms  by  Prof.  Andrews.  On  numberless  other  creeks  and 
ravines  in  Wayne  and  the  counties  of  Lincoln,  Logan,  Wyom 
ing,  and  Boone,  exposures  of  equal  thickness  and  purity  can, 
be  fou  ndt 


RESOURCES   OF   WEST   VIRGINIA.  220 

SPLINT    COAL, 

Except  in  a  local  expansion  on  one  of  the  seams  above  the 
Pittsburgh,  near  Wheeling,  there  is  no  well  authenticated  in 
stance  of  this  class  of  coal  being  found  in  the  Upper  Coal 
Measures,  or  in  the  northern-half  of  the  State.  Possibly  this 
may  arise  from  the  fact,  that  the  attention  of  the  miner  is 
there  mainly  directed  to  gas  coal.  Hard,  open  burning,  bitu 
minous  fuels  exist,  but  they  lack  the  highly  laminated,  sonor 
ous  characteristics  of  splint. 

Without  saying  that  it  occurs  nowhere  outride  of  the  fol 
lowing  limits,  the  area  where  it  is  known  positively  to  exist 
in  workable  beds  is  in  the  Lower  Coal  Measures  in  B  rax  ton, 
Webster,  Clay,  Nicholas.  Fayette,  Kanawha,  Boone,  Logan, 
Lincoln,  and  Wayne  counties,  and  its  boundaries  may  be 
roughly  outlined  as  follows:  Beginning  at  the  juncture  of 
Louisa  and  Tug  Forks  of  Big  Sandy  river,  on  the  Kentucky 
line,  and  thence  in  a  straight  northwesterly  lino  to  the  Forks 
of  Coal,  in  Lincoln  and  Kanawha  ;  thence  to  Charleston,  on 
the  Kanawha :  thence  to  the  point  where  Elk  river  crosses  the 
Clay  and  Braxton  line  ;  thence  bending  to  the  east  and  run- 
ningto  where  the  Elk  crosses  the  Braxton  and  Webster  line  ; 
thence  southeasterly  to  the  vicinity  of  Addison ;  and  thence 
southwesterly,  passing  though  Summers ville,  in  Nicholas, 
Gauley  mountain,  near  the  Hawk's  Nest,  in  Fayette,  the  ex 
treme  southern  corner  of  Kanawha,  and  thence  on  to  the  com 
mon  corner  of  Wayne  and  Logan,  on  Tug  Fork  of  Big  Sandy. 
It  should  be  clearly  understood  that  these  boundaries  are  only 
general,  and  that  instead  of  being  straight,  as  laid  down,  they 
will  run  in  and  out  in.  curves,  so  as,  in  some  cases,  to  add  to 
this  area,  and  in  others  to  subtract  from  it. 

In  this  region  it  is  abundant,  and  in  admixture  with  more 
or  less  bituminous  coal  is  found  in  seams  as  thick  as  10  and 
11  feet.  For  the  combined  purposes  of  steam,  domestic  use, 
and  the  manufacture  of  iron,  it  may  be  looked  upon  as  the 
most  useful  and  valuable  coal  of  the  State,  and  even  now  it 
ranks  so  high  that  in  the  New  York  retail  market  it  quotes 
higher  than  any  other  West  Virginia  coal,  except  cannel.  Its 
value  is  due  to  its  firmness  and  solidity,  which  enables  it  to  be 
handled,  shifted  and  stored  with  very  little  lo^s;  it  burns  well ; 
leaving  but  little  ash  •  has  both  high  calorific,  power  and  in- 


'230  RESOURCES   OF   WEST    VIRGINIA. 

tensity ;  is  usually  remarkably  free  from  sulphur  (iron  pyrites) 
and  other  impurities;  has  little  or  no  tcndenccy  to  clinker;  is 
free  from  the  danger  of  firing  by  spontaneous  combustion — 
a  great  desideratum  in  storage  and  ocean  transportion  ;  is  first- 
rate  as  a  steam  andj  household  fire,  and  it  has  a  particular 
adaptability  in  the  raw  state  to  the  manufacture  of  iron  in  the 
blast  furnace,  for  which  purpose  it  is  eagerly  sought  in  dis 
tricts  accessible  to  market,  as  it  makes'a  quality  of  iron  which 
can  only  be  surpassed  by  the  use  of  charcoal.  In  this  latter 
connection,  it  is  well  to  point  out  how  this  fuel  is  esteemed 
in  other  States : 

The  Block  Coal  of  Ohio,  in  its  position  in  the  coal,  measures, 
its  structure,  composition  and  its  appearance,  is  exactly  the 
same  as  the  "  Splint "  of  Kanawha,  and  is  well  adapted,  in  the 
raw  state,  to  the  smelting  of  iron  ores.  It  is,  indeed,  a  typical 
furnace  coal,  and  forms  the  fuel  by  which  fully  half  of  the  iron 
in  the  State  is  manufactured.  It  is  the  only  fuel  us-vd  in  the 
furnaces  of  the  extensive  iron  district  of  Cleveland,  and  is,  in 
fact,  the  basis  of  the  great  iron  industry  of  Northern  Ohio. 
(Geology  of  Ohio,  1870,  page  26  and  27.) 

The  u  Block  Coal"  of  Indiana,  also,  is  the  same  as  Kanawha 
Splint.  "  As  a  blast  furnace  fuel  to  smelt  iron  ores  it  has  been 
amply  tested  in  the  five  furnaces  that  are  now  using  it  in 
Clay  county,  and  leaves  nothing  to  be  desired.  The  pig  iron 
made  at  the  Clay  county  blast  furnaces  from  Iron  mountain 
and  Lake  Superior  iron  ores,  by  use  of  block  coal  as  fuel,  com 
mands  from  $2  to  $8  more  per  ton,  at  the  furnace  than  the 
same  grade  of  pig  iron  made  in  Kenucky  and  Ohio  will  com 
mand  in  Indianapolis." — (Geology  of  Indiana,  1869,  page  70). 

"  The  reputation  of  the  '  block  coal '  for  smelting  iron  ores 
continues  to  be  fully  sustained  by  its  excellent  behavior  in 
the  blast  furnaces  that  are  using  it.  *  *  Mr.  Hicks,  the 
founder,  assures  me  that  the  furnace  (the  Brazil)  now  runs 
with  the  utmost  regularity,  and  he  finds  no  difficulty  in 
making  a  uniform  grade  of  gray  pig."  (Geology  of  Indiana, 
1872,  page  9.)  In  the  same  book  (page  37)  Prof.  Cox,  the  State 
Geologist,  notes  a  case  in  Clay  county  where  only  4,250  p  >unds 
of  raw  block  coal  are  required  to  make  a  ton  of  iron. 

After  four  years  examination  and  trial  of  these  splint  coals 
in  Indiana,  Prof.  Cox  says:  "I  have  every  reason  to  believe? 


RESOURCES   OF   WEST   VIRGINIA.  231 

that,  when  used  under  the  most  favorable  conditions,  we  will 
obtain  as  large  yields  of  iron  with  Indiana  block  coal  fuel  as 
can  be  obtained  from  the  same  ores  with  coke." — Geology  of 
Indiana,  1873,  page  115.) 

Let  us  now  look  at  Pennsylvania.  "There  is  no  bituminous 
coal  in  Pennsylvania  that  can  be  used  in  the  raw  state  for 
smelting  iron  except  the  splint  or  'block  coal,'  as  it  is  com 
monly  called,  of  this  region  close  to  the  Ohio  line,  in  Mercer 
county,  on  the  Pittsburgh  and  Erie  R.  R.  and  the  Beaver  and 
Erie  Canal.  *  *  There  was  nearly  500,000  tons  of  block 
coal  produced  in  Mercer  countv  in  1871,  and  twenty-three  blast 
furnaces  in  the  district  above  mentioned  were  running  on  this 
coal  in  that  year." — (Coal  Regions  of  America,  page '209). 

As  regards  practical  tests  of  this  coal  from  West  Virginia, 
the  following  is  about  all  that  has  been  done. 

Mr.  Mendenhall,  of  C.  C.  Mendenhall  &  Co.,  tried  it,  and 
speaks  of  ic  under  date  of  October  10,  1867,  thus  :  "  We  have 
thoroughly  tested  its  quality  for  this  purpose  (a  blast  furnace 
fuel)  in  our  own  furnace,  near  Wheeling,  with  the  most  satis^ 
factory  results;  regarding  it  as  better  adapted  to  smelting  iron 
than  any  known  coal  of  the  Alleghany  coal  field.  We 
used  Campbell's  creek  and  Coalburg  coals  with  about  equal 
results.  The  estimate  in  which  our  furnace  manager  holds 
these  coals  is  evidenced  from  the  fact  that  I  am  authorized  to 
contract  for  a  supply  to  be  carried  up  the  Ohio  river  to  Wheel 
ing,  for  use  in  our  furnaces  there." 

Coalburg  splint  has  also  been  used  in  the  furnaces  at  Iron- 
ton  on  the  Ohio ;  but  they,  as  well  as  Wheeling,  stopped  their 
orders  several  years  ago,  because,  on  account  of  the  uncertainty 
of  the  navigation  of  the  Ohio  and  Kanawha  rivers,  they  could 
not  get  a  regular  supply,  and  had  to  keep  large  stocks  on 
hand.  This  stoppage  I  should  mention,  was  before  the  Chesa 
peake  and  Ohio  railroad  was  completed. 

The  Kenton  furnace,  of  Newport,  Ky.,  up  to  1873,  had  used 
some  10,000  tons  of  Campbell's  creek  splint,  mixing  it  with 
an  equal  amount  of  Connellsville  coke.  Of  this  mixture  it 
took  1J  tons  to  make  one  ton  of  iron. 

In  the  summer  of  1873  I  visited  the  Elizabeth  Furnace, 
Augusta  county ,'_Virginia.  They  were  then  using  two-thirds 
charcoal,  and  one-third  Coalburg  splint,  with  very  satisfac- 


RESOURCES   OF    WEST  VIRGINIA, 

tory  results.  Since  then  the  Lewiston  splint  has  been  a  good 
deal  used  and  very  much  liked,  but  I  am  not  aware  that 
Kanawha  coal  alone  has  ever  been  tested  here. 

The  same  summer  I  also  visited  the  Buffalo  Gap  Furnace  in 
the  same  county.  At  that  time  Coalburg  splint,  mixed  with 
a  little  charcoal  was  the  fuel,  and  the  iron  went  on  the  mar-  , 
ket  as  charcoal  iron.  On  one  occasion,  before  my  visit,  the 
supply  of  charcoal  gave  out,  and  they  ran  on  raw  coal  alone 
for  three  days,  and  Mr.  McClure,  the  Superintendent,  estima 
ted  that  one  ton  of  pig  would  take  If  tons  of  coal,  which  he 
thought  would  produce  a  better  iron  than  coke. 

In  the  spring  of  1875,  the  Powhatan  Iron  Company,  near 
Richmond,  Virginia,  made  a  test  of  Kanawha  splint,  with  a 
view  of  substituting  it  for  anthracite,  which  they  were  then 
using,  but  abandoned  it,  returning  a  verdict  that  the  coal  was 
not  suited  for  iron  making.  This  can  be  amply  accounted  for 
by  the  fact  that  they  attempted  to  use  it  without  making  the 
proper  and  necessary  changes  in  their  furnace.  Exactly  the 
same  difficulty  was  met  with  in  the  early  days  of  the  use  of 
splint  (or  block  coal,  as  there  termed),  in  Indiana.  The  fur 
naces  originally  put  up  had  a  tendency  to  chill,  and  what 
grade  of  iron  would  be  tapped,  was  always  uncertain.  After 
many  experiments  with  changes  in  the  interior  form  of  the 
furnace,  they  learned  exactly  what  was  required,  and  in  1872, 
the  Brazil  "  was  running  wTith  the  utmost  regularity,  and  the 
founder  experienced  no  difficulty  in  making  a  uniform  grade 
of  gray  pig." 


HESOtJRCES   OF   WEST   VIRGINIA. 


233 


The  following  table  shows  the  analyses  of  various  West 
Virginia  splint  coals.  For  the  purpose  of  comparison,  there 
is  also  added  the  block  coal  of  Indiana,  and  the  Mahoning 
Valley,  Ohio,  the  Pittsburgh  coal,  and  two  of  the  best  iron 
making  coals  of  Great  Britain  : 


LOCALITY. 


Chemisi 


Campbell's  Cr'k.  Kana-  ! 
wha j 

Coalburg,  4-foot   Seam,  f 
Kanawha i 

Coalburg    Main   Seam, 
Kanawha  .. 


35.64i    61.07 


33.20    02.01 


40.50;    50,50; 


121 
1.81 
1.50 


1  qu  j  Riverside  Iron 
Company. 

.)  !  ,    (  Riverside  Iron 
1      Company. 

2.00J  J  Li-vette.  Indiana. 


Paint  Creek  Mines, 
Kanawha  j 

30.1.3; 

63.74| 

«,:,,. 

N  Doremns,  X.  V. 

jl 

Kellev's  Cr'k,  Kanawha.. 

37.08 

00.92; 

2.00  .. 

IRogers,  Virginia. 

Stephen's  Branch, 
Wavne  j 

30.40 

60-10 

3.50 

1.70;  \  Wormlev.  Ohio. 

1 

Tug  Fork,  Wavne  

38.741 

61.18'. 

1.88.  . 

Taylor,  Ohio. 

••'         "            '< 

30.00, 

60.541 

2.80... 

;      " 

Coal   Vallev   Coal  Co..  ] 

If 

Upper  10  in.  of  Seam  V  i 

38.32: 

57.20! 

4.30 

0-18N  D\vight,  W.  Vy, 

Favette  J 

i  ( 

Briar  Hill,  Ohio  

32.58! 

62.60- 

1.16 

3.00jWormlev,  Ohio. 

Star  Mine,  Indiana  

32.50  ! 

.61.50 

2.50 

3.oOLevette,  "Indiana. 

Pittsburg  Coal  

41.10| 

56.90 

1.00 

1.00       " 

Cl  vde  Splint  

30.80; 

59  00! 

4.20  ., 

IMnshct. 

Worsborrongh,  Yorkshire' 

48.18J 

00.32! 

1.50  .. 

'  •.:_  •_•_".!  _.  L 

In  conjunction  with  this  table,  I  would  submit  an  extract 
as  to  what  analysis  gives  as  a  good  furnace  coal  : 

"It  would  appear  that  a  furnace  coal,  to  have  sufficient 
reducing  power,  should  have  from  58  to  62  per  cent,  of  fixed 
carbon,  with  little  hygrometric  moisture  and  few  impurities. 
There  should  be  als  >  such  physical  structure  as  to  prevent 
the  bitumen  from  running  together  in  the  process  of  com 
bustion  and  cementing  the  mass,  and  at  the  same  time  suffi 
cient  firmness  to  bear  up  under  the  burden  of  the  furnace 
30 


234  RESOURCES   OF   WEST   VIRGINIA. 

charge.  l  The  effects  produced  by  such  a  coal,'  says  Mushet,  '  in 
a  blast  furnace,  either  as  to  quality  or  quantity  of  cast-iron, 
far  exceed  anything  in  the  history  of  the  manufacture  of  that 
metal  with  charcoal.'  With  these  coals,  a  greater  quantity 
of  iron,  in  proportion  to  the  fixed  carbon,  is  produced  than 
with  anthracite ;  the  quality  of  iron  is  better,  and  tKe  wear 
upon  the  furnace  is  less  destructive."* 

Now  note  the  reputation  of  some  of  the  coals  given  in  the 
table  :  The  Briar  Hill  coal  has  been  spoken  of  page  230. 
The  praise  bestowed  upon  it  is  very  his^h,  indeed,  but  in  the 
same  letter,  from  which  an  extract  was  quoted  on  page  231, 
Mr.  Mendenhall  says  :  "  The  coal  in  the  Mahoning  valleyt 
which  is  now  used  in  tho  works  of  Governor  Todd  and  others 
there,  has  hitherto  been  regarded  as  of  the  finest  quality 
known  by  the  works  which  use  it.  but  our  founder,  who  lias 
managed  furnaces  for  many  years  in  the  valley,  places  the 
Kanawha  coal  unquestionably  before  it." 

The  coal  from  the  Star  Mine  is  that  used  for  making  iron 
at  the  Planet  furnace,  Clay  county,  Indiana,  and  for  manu 
facturing  iron  it  is  not  surpassed  by  any  in  the  country. "t 

The  Pittsburgh  specimen  is  a  coking  coal.  The  analysis 
was  made  of  a  picked  sample  obtained  from  one  of  the  Indian 
apolis  coal  dealers,  by  Prof.  Levette,  chemist  on  the 
State  Geological  Survey  of  Indiana.  In  his  report  on  the 
Wayne  county  coals,  as  shown  on  Twelve  Pole,  Prof.  Andrews, 
of  the  Geological  Survey  of  Ohio,  says,  in  speaking  of  the 
4-foot  9-J-inch  seam,  on  Stephens'  branch  :  "I  have  seldom 
"  found  a  coal  ^1  can  commend  so  strongly  and  positively  as 
"  this." 

Thus  we  have  the  testimony  of  analyses  that  the  West  Vir 
ginia  splint  ranks  with  the  most  celebrated  iron  coals  of  the 
United  States,  and  with  two  of  the  best  British  ones,  whilst 
the  verdict  of  practical  tests  places  it  in  the  front  rank  of  val 
uable  furnace  fuels,  one  of  the  large  iron  making  firms  of  the 
West  giving  it  as  their  opinion,  that  ''it  is  better  adapted  to 
smelting  iron  than  any  known  coal  of  the  Alleghany  coal 
field." 


•-Report  on  the  iron  smelting  coals  of  Southern  Indiana,  1871.    Page  14,     Prof. 
J.  W.  Foster,  LL.  I), 
f Briar  Hill,  in  this  valley. 
JGeology  of  Indiana,  ISG'J,    Page  49.    Prof.  E.  T.  Cox,  State  Geologist. 


RESOURCES    OF    WEST    VIRGINIA. 


235 


Another  glance  at  the  table  will  show  a  very  small  propor 
tion  of  ash.  This  fact  has  a  two-fold  importance  : 

1.  The  smaller  the  quantity  of  ash  the  less  limestone  is  re 
quired  in  the  furnace  to  flux  it :  less  slag  is  formed  from  that 
particular  source,  and  consequently  less  heat  and  less  coal  are 
needed  in  forming  that  chemical  compound   in  the   blast  fur 
nace. 

2.  It   is   well    known   that   phosphorus  makes   iron    "cold 
short,"  i.  e.,  brittle  under  a  blow:  imparts  fluidity  to  cast  iron, 
but  spoiling  it  for  the  manufacture  of  steel. 

Prof.  Wormley,  Chemist  on  the  Geological  Survey  of  Ohio, 
in  his  analysis  of  the  ashes  of  coal,  finds  phosphorus  present 
in  every  case,  though,  of  course,  in  variable  quantities.*  The 
same  was  found  to  be  the  case  in  the  analysis  made  of  ten 
noted  coals  for  Prof.  S.  Newberry,  State  Geologist  of  Ohio. 

Phosphorus  no  doubt,  therefore,  occurs  in  those  from  Ka- 
nawha;  but  as  in  all  cases  it  forms  but  a  small  percentage  of 
the  ash,  and  as  in  the  Kanawha  splints  the  ash  forms  such  a 
small  percentage  of  the  coal  itself,  therefore  the  phosphorus  will 
form  but  a  small  percentage  of  the  coal  itself. 

It  is  due  to  this  fact,  amongst  others,  that  splint  coal, 
wherever  found,  owes  its  superiority  in  the  blast  furnace;  and 
also,  I  have  no  doubt,  that  it  is  said,  that  iron  smelted  by  it  is 
especially  adapted  to  the  manufacture  of  steel  by  the  Bessemer 
process,  which  process  is  superseding  all  others 

Its  firmness  and  capability  of  bearing  handling  and  trans 
portation  ha^  been  remarked  on;  but  this  will  be  better  ap 
preciated  when  it  is  stated,  that  where  it  has  been  thrown  out 
on  the  mountain  side  many  years  ago,  from  old  openings,  it 
may  be  found  in  many  cases  covered  with  moss,  while  on  the 
shoals  of  the  creeks  and  rivers  are  scattered  lumps,  varying 
from  the  size  of  a  pebble  up  to  20  and  30  pounds  weight, 
smooth  and  water-worn.  How  long  they  have  been  there  no 
man  can  tell,  and  yet  break  them  in  either  case  and  they  are 
as  black,  rich,  pure,  sound  and  solid  as  when  first  severed  from 
the  mother  seam. 

This  hardness  has  an  admirable  illustration  in  a  cargo  ot 
lump  coal  that  was  shipped  to  New  York  by  the  Kanawha 
Semi-Cannel  Coal  Co.  It  was  closely  examined  during  the. 

•-'••Geological  Survey  of  Ohio,  1870,  page  428, 


236  RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA. 

loading  of  the  vessel  in  Richmond,  and  while  discharging  in 
New  York,  out  of  the  whole  cargo  only  about  two  tons  had 
been  broken  up  into  sizes  of  "  egg  "  and  "  nut.?' 

As  regards  its  advantages  for  steam  and  reheating  furnaces, 
it  has  been  largely  tried  both  in  the  east  and  west,  and  is 
rapidly  gaining  popularity  wherever  introduced,  but,  unfor 
tunately,  the  mines  are  usually  careless  in  getting  the  re 
sults  of  such  practical  tests,  so  that  but  very  few  detailed  ones 
are  accessible,  and  all  that  I  have  been  able  to  obtain  for  this 
work  are  as  follows:  On  the  completion  of  the  Chesapeake  and 
Ohio  R'.  R.  in  1873,  a  trial  of  this  coal  was  made  by  the  Trede- 
gar  Iron  Works  of  Richmond.  This  test  brought  forth  the 
report,  "  that  we  have  made  a  limited  trial  of  the  Kanawha 
kb  splint  coal.  That,  however,  was  sufficient  to  satisfy  us  of 
u  its  admirable  qualities  for  the  heating  furnace.  The  only 
"  question  as  to  its  use  on  a  large  scale  here,  is  the  price  at 
'•  which  it  can  be  delivered." 

In  the  winter  of  1875-6,  the  steamers  of  the  New  York  and 
Harlem  Steamboat  Co.  were  using  Kanawha  coal,  and  the  en 
gineers  report  a  preference  for  it,  as  they  could  raise  steam  on 
short  notice  and  could  bank  their  fires  over  night  wUh  the 
certainty  of  quick  combustion  and  ready  steam  in  the  morn 
ing,  which  they  could  not  count  on  without  re-lighting  when 
other  coals,  to  which  they  were  accustomed,  were  in  use.  The 
Bridgew:iter  Iron  Co.,  of  Massachusetts,  made  a  very  limited 
trial  of  the  coal  from  the  Kanawha  Serni-Cannel  Coal  Co., 
which  induced  them  to  give  an  order  for  some  307  ton^,  which 
they  used  under  their  boilers  and  in  the  rolling  mills.  They 
.reported  it  as  being  superior  to  any  bituminous  coal  formerly 
used,  and  entered  into  contracts  for  farther  supplies.  This 
same  Coal  Co.  is  also  supplying  the  Mantanzas  and  Havana 
R.  R.  Co.,  in  Cuba,  with  its  fuel. 

For  steam  purposes  the  most  satisfactory  tests  (because  the 
most  in  detail),  have  been  obtained  from  the  Kentucky  Cen: 
tral,  Chesapeake  and  Ohio,  and  the  Atlantic.  Mississippi  and 
Ohio  railroads.  The  former  made  a  months  careful  tests  of 
Youghiogheny,  Pa.,  and  Ashland,  Ky.,  coal,  witrh  a  result  of 
3i)  pounds  in  the  former  case,  end  43  pounds  in  the  latter, 
consumed  per  mile  run,  for  freight  and  passenger  traffic.  The 
rrr-.r5,  x,b?r.  bought  its  fuel  frora  the  Coalburg  mines,  in  Karia- 


RESOURCES   OF   WEST    VIRGINIA.  237 

wha,  and  a  months  trial  gave  25  pounds  per  mile  run.  At 
the  end  of  12  months  the  fuel  books  showed  that  the  average 
for  the  year  (including  what  had  baen  used  of  ail  three  kinds 
named  above)  was  32.1  pounds  per  mile  run  for  all  kinds  of 
service.  The  difference  between  the  25  pounds  and  32.1  pounds 
can  be  accounted  for  by  the  care  exercised  while  testing,  with 
a  view  to  contract  for  a  year's  supply,  the  difference  in  the 
seasons,  and  condition  of  the  track  (the  first  trial  being  made 
in  the  summer),  and  the  one  month's  use  of  the  lower  grade 
Youghiogheny  and  Ashland,  which,  of  course,  tended  to  bring 
down  the  average.  For  the  following  information  concerning 
the  trials  on  the  Chesapeake  and  Ohio,  and  Atlantic,  Missis 
sippi  and  Ohio,  railroads  I  am  indebted  to  the  kinJness  of 
Gen.  J.  M.  St.  John,  the  Consulting  Engineer  of  the  former  : 

u  Our  best  monthly  average  for  C.  £  0.  engine  perform 
ance  is  29.62  pounds  coal,  per  mile  run.  for  passenger 
service,  with  loaded  engine  and  tenders,  weighing  88,000  to 
90,000  pounds,  and  five  cars  weighing  220,700  pounds.  Sum 
of  ascents,  Richmond  to  Huntington,*  west,  6,271  feet ;  descents, 
west,  5,639  feet.  This  monthly  average  includes  all  wastage 
and  deterioration  of  fuel  on  hand,  and  for  train  detention,  a 
per  centage  of  lo-s  that  should  always  be  considered  in  com 
paring  statements  of  engine  performance,  and  which  is  often 
large  enough  to  explain  the  difference  cited  in  your  letter  of 
llth  of  February,  between  the  25  pound  trial  trip  on  the  Ken 
tucky  Central  and  their  32.1-pound  average. 

In  this  connection,  I  have  just  received  from  the  Atlantic, 
Mississippi  and  Ohio  railroad,  a  report  of  Le  \\iston  (Kana- 
wha)  coal,  which  may  interest  you  : 

Weight  of  engine  and  tender,  loaded 110,300  pounds. 

"      "    train,  west.  0  ears.,  exclusive  of  engine 273,250 

"      "       "       east,  5     "  I  "'        "     214.000 

Sum  of  ascents,  west,  (Lynch burg  to  Bristol) 4,815      feet- 

"     "  descents,    u  "        "        3,755        " 

Maximum  grade,  70  feet  per  mile;  curve,  7  degrees;  coa] 
consumed  per  round  trip,  of  408  miles,  29.02  pounds  per  mile 
run. 

Allowing  for  the  difference  of  grades  between  the  Atlantic, 
Mississippi  and  Ohio,  and  the  Kentucky  Central  the  results 

*Distanc<;,  4  27  miles;  maximum  grade,  going  west,  T.I  feet  per  mile;  lowest 
radius  of  curve,  1,000  feet, 


RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA. 

of  the  two  trial  trips  do  not  vary  essentially,  while  the  Ches 
apeake  and  Ohio  monthly  average  is  probably  a  more  reliable 
guide  than  either  for  estimating  the  value  of  Kanawha  coals." 
The  fuels  used  during  this  monthly  average,  by  the  C.  it  O. 
R.  R.,  were  from  Levviston,  Coatburg,  and  Coal  valley,  the  two 
last  being  respectively  about  4  and  13  miles  east  of  the  first, 
thus  showing  the  distribution,  in  the  Kanawha  valley,  of  a 
first-rate  article  for  steam. 

CANNEL  COAIi 

May  be  termed  a  '"fancy"  article,  as  it  sells  at  high  prices, 
and  the  seams  are  erratic,  varying  from  zero  to  5J  feet.  It  is 
universally  associated  with  some  other  kind  of  coal,  usually 
bituminous,  a  very  fortunate  circumstance,  as  in  mining  the 
41  bearing  in  "  can  be  done  in  this  latter,  leaving  the  whole  of 
the  cannel  available,  and  as  it  separates  very  easily  from  the 
others,  a  10  or  12-inch  stratum  in  a  large  seam  can  be  gotten 
out  profitably  and  shipped  by  itself.  Were  it  otherwise  it 
would  have  to  be  mined  with  the  rest  and  t-old  at  the  smaller 
prices  of  lower  grades. 

Unfortunately,  from  the  peculiarity  of  its  geological  deposi 
tion,  it  cannot  be  stated  over  what  area  any  given  seam  of  it 
will  be  found,  or  how  long  it  will  last  of  any  given  thickness, 
so  that  it  cannot  be  reasoned  that,  because  a  5- foot  seam  is 
found  on  the  northern  edge  of,  say  5,000  acres,  it  will  be  found 
on  the  southern  edge.  The  seam  will  be  found,  but  the  cannel 
may  have  been  completely  displaced  by  another  kind  of  coal. 
This  will  be  made  more  clear  by  a  few  examples  : 

The  celebrated  Bog-head  cannel,  of  Scotland,  varied  from  1 
inch  to  2  feet  6  inches.  The  cannel  in  the  seam  at  C.innel- 
ton,  on  the  Kanawha,  has  extremes,  in  the  present  mine,  of 
10  inches  and  o  feet,  the  average  being  89  to  42  inches. 
About  half  a  mile  to  the  west  the  seam  has  increased  to 
10  feet  4  inches  of  splint  and  bituminous,  but  without 
out  a  semblance  of  cannel,  while  to  the  east,  arid  across  the 
river,  the  latter  is  so  thin  as  not  to  be  workable.  At  Peyton  a, 
on  Coal  river,  the;  thinest  place  yet  found  in  the  seam  now 
worked  is  '2  feet  f>  inches,  and  the  thickest  ::>>  feet  8  inches. 
The  entry  is  about  half  a  mile  from  the  river,  on  the  other 
side  of  which  the  cannel  has  disappeared. 

Another  example  :    Some  four  miles  up  Paint  creek,  before 


RESOURCES  OF  WEST  VIRGINIA.  239 

the  war,  two  companies  made  Qil  from  this  mineral.  On  the 
east  side  of  the  creek  a  seam  was  opened  and  worked  till  the 
cannel  stratum  became  too  thin  to  get  out  easily.  An  open 
ing  was  then  made  on  the  west  side,  about  800  yards  from  the 
first,  and  the  cannel  was  found  40  inches.  A  mile  to  the  west 
the  same  bed  is  opened  to  its  usual  thickness,  but  the  cannel 
has  dwindled  down  to  14  inches. 

From  its  frequency  in  the  southern  portion  of  the  State ? 
there  is  no  telling  where  it  may  not  bs  found,  but  only  an  ac 
tual  opening  on  it  can  prove  its  existence,  and  in  searching 
for  it,  and  in  determining  the  extent  of  a  deposit,  the  annular 
diamond  drill  can  be  most  advantageously  used. 

Its  principal  development  in  West  Virginia  appears  to  be 
in  the  area  assigned  to  Splint  Coal,  though  with  more  con 
tracted  boundary  lines,  and  in  this  the  thickest  exposures  yet 
observed,  are  as  follows : 


Locality.  Thickness. 


Ft 

Wayne ! Laurel  Branch  of  Hezekiah  (outcrop) •"> 

iBrush  ("reek  (outcrop) - 

Cove  Creek  " 4 

Logan iNine  mile  of  Guyandotte  (outcrop) |  :> 

Boone Workman's  Branch  4 

i:     Peytona  Coal  Co.  Lower  Seam  (average) '  '•'> 

Kanawha..  Paint  Creek  Coal  Co.  (thickest  place) ;  3 

iMill  Creek  Coal  Co.  (reported) i  4 

Fay  ette....  Cannel  ton  Coal  Co.  (average) | 

Nicholas. ..jLittle  Elk  of  Gauley  (outcrop) | 


In  the  northern  half  of  the  State  this  coal  seems  to  accom 
pany  only  one  bed,  viz  :  the  Upper  Freeport,  and  but  little  is 
known  of  it,  for  it  has  never  been  worked — except  in  one  case 
noted  hereafter — and  there  are  no  analyses  except  of  the  expo 
sure  at  Lost  run,  in  Taylor  county. 

In  Monongalia  county,  on  Tibb's  run,  a  branch  of  Decker's 
creek,  the  Upper  Freeport  was  examined  by  Prof.  Stevenson, 
who  reports  that  "the  shale  above  it  for  several  feet,  is  very 
'•  bituminous,  with  a  conchoidal  fracture,  and  is  undoubtedly 
"  a  cannel  coal  of  inferior  quality.''  Tn  an  exposure  of  this 
seam  on  Sand  run.  Randolph  county,  is  a  poor  cannel  of  2  feet 
6  inches,  which  a  mile  distant  shows  1  foot  1  inch;  at  Nuzum's 


240  RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA. 

Mill,  Marion  county,  it  show.s  1  foot.  On  Prickett's  creek,  in 
the  same  county,  we  have  the  general  statement  that  the  can- 
nel  is  thicker,  hut  no  measurement  of  it.  On  Lost  run,  in 
Taylor  county,  is  a  seam  composed  of 

Bituminous  Coal, 1  it.  6  in. 

Cannel  "    2  "  0  " 

Bituminous     "    .  ...  3  "  6  '' 


Total, 7  ft,  0  in. 

In  this  the  cannel,  though  very  handsome  in  appearance, 
is  of  very  poor  quality,  as  will  he  seen  by  its  analysis  in  the 
next  table. 

On  White  Day  creek,  in  the  northern  part  of  Taylor  county, 
is  a  seam  composed  of  2  feet  of  bituminous  and  3J  feet  of  can- 
nel.  In  1859  the  White  Day  Cannel  Coal  &  Oil  Company, 
purchased  1250  acres  here,  and  erected  extensive  buildings  and 
machinery  for  the  purpose  of  distilling  oil  from  the  cannel. 
After  five  or  six  weeks  profitable  running,  a  careless  manage 
ment  allowed  fire  to  reach  the  gas  in  the  condensing  pipes, 
which  exploded  the  works.  It  was  decided  to  rebuild  them, 
but  the  discovery  of  petroleum  caused  an  abandonment  of  the 
idea,  and  the  property  was  sold.  Mr.  Hiram  Winchester,  who 
was  formerly  connected  with  these  works,  and  who  kindly 
furnished  the  above  account,  writes  that  the  coal  yielded  about 
37  gallons  ot  crude  oil  per  ton.  This  is  very  low,  and  would 
seem  to  indicate  that  the  coal  would  be  poor  in  gas,  which  is 
the  element  that  gives  cannel  its  great  value.  The  Peytona 
cannel  of  Boone  county,  gives 

Crude  Illuminating  Oil, 20  gals. 

Crude  Lubricating  Oil, 52 

Oily  Farafin, 7.2  " 

79.2  "  * 

Cannelton  cannel,  Fayette  county,  yielded  by  the  treatment 
of  the  Union  Oil  Company,  2  gallons  per  bushel,  or  56  gallons 
per  ton.  This  is  really  not  the  full  yitld,  for  when  the  retorts 
were  taken  up,  the  present  company  found  there  had  been 
considerable  waste  and  leakage.  Two  companies  on  Paint 
creek,  and  one  on  Mill  creek,  Kanawha  county,  formerly  dis 
tilled  oil  from  this  mineral.  They  were  stopped  chiefly  on 


'"The  New  York  Times,  1856.    This  is  the  latest  information  on  this  point  I 
can  find.    The  coal  wa*  jiwver  distilled  on  a  lurj;*  seal*,  that  I  am  aware  of. 


RESOURCES   OF   WEST    VIRGINIA. 


241 


account  of  the  war,  and  have  not  resumed  operations  since, 
partly  from  lack  of  capital,  but  mainly  from  t-be  discoveries  of 
the  cheaper  Petroleum.  There  are  now  no  oil  works  of  this 
class,  in  operation  in  the  State. 

The  chief  value  of  this  coal  is  as  a  gas  producer.  For  this 
purpose,  that  from  West  Virginia  has  no  superior  in  America. 
The  only  two  mines  in  operation  within  our  borders  at  this 
date,  are  the  Cannelton  Coal  Company,  on  the  Kauawha.  and 
the  Peytona  Coal  Company,  on  Coal  river.  The  quotations 
for  their  article  are  higher,  without  an  exception,  in  all  mar 
kets  that  they  reach,  than  any  other  fuel  mined  in  the  United 
States. 

To  better  appreciate  the  high  results  of  the  analyses,  from 
Peytona  and  Cannelton,  in  the  following  table,  the  reader 
should  compare  them  with  the  bituminous  coai  some  pages 
back  : 


i    5; 

, 

i 

.. 
r 

i     ^x     ! 

:                                                 ~ 

->-• 

-    r"*"'   X 

i 

.— 

*N«V      r»          ; 

> 

TY.:    Locality,          "b 

pr 

'    °  2    : 

Chemist. 

i 

_±;     , 

:  "  -  o    ' 

a 

—  ^ 

^                    ; 

:    '~  ^1 

"T 

:         X 

:-     • 

3    i  |^'  ; 

1 

f  Manhattan 

Teytona-  !    4!.0 

400  ; 

13.0  ;  13,200' 

32.00 

^      (i-as  Lip  it 
(      Co  ,  X.  Y. 

i                         i 

(  Manhattan 

Fayette....jCannelton...     23.r>  I    oS.O  |   18.5     12,025.    45.0  \-{      Gas  Light 

i  I     Co.,  N.Y, 

Kanawha.1. 


Taylor 'Lost  Run '    4232:    23.08J    34.01: I 

iTwelve  Pole.l    42.59!    49.40!     7.41:.. 


C.  E.  Dwight. 


Before  leaving  this  coal,  attention  should  be  called  to  the 
bituminous  or  cannel  shale  that  is  very  often  mistaken  for  it 
There  are  many  outcroppings  of  it  varying  from  a  few  incher 
to  5  or  more  feet.  In  appearance  it  is  like  cannel,  but  from 
which  it  can  usually  be  distinguished  by  its  greater  specific 
gravity  and  slaty  structure,  this  latter  being  particularly 
observable  where  the  blocks  have  been  exposed  for  some  time 
to  the  weathering  action  of  the  atmosphere.  It  burns  well, 
evolving  great  heat,  and  igniting  readily,  but  leaves  so  large 


*At  10.000  cubic  feet  per  ton,  the  illuminating  power  was  41,10  candles. 
ol 


242  RESOURCES   OF   WEST   VIRGINIA. 

an  amount  of  ash  as  to  be  unfit  for  fuel.  It  seems  to  be  almost, 
if  not  quite,  as  rich  in  oils  as  the  caiinel  itself,  and,  if  Petro 
leum  was  still  undiscovered,  would  be  a  very  valuable  source 
of  illuminating  oils,  whereas,  at  present,  it  is  of  no  value. 
The  similitude  to  cannel  is  so  marked  that  in  some  cases 
the  most  practiced  observer  has  to  be  very  careful  not  to  be 
deceived,  and  it  has  been  the  cause  of  erroneous  rumors  and 
many  false  hopes  started.  As  an  example  we  can  cite  the 
case  of  a  company,  in  West  Virginia,  improving  a  property, 
building  an  incline,  and  opening  a  mine,  to  find  out,  after 
their  money  was  gone,  that  they  were  shipping  an  unmar 
ketable  article,  and  of  another,  so-  deceived  were  they  by 
appearance,  that  built  the  incline  and  opened  the  mine,  to 
discover  that  their  "cannel"  contained  52  per  cent  of  ash. 
Experientia  docet. 

MARKETS. 

First,  there  is  the  Eastern  one  of  the  Atlantic  seaboard 
states  which  are  reached  by  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  railroad, 
in  the  north,  and  the  Chesapeake  and  Ohio  railroad,  in  the 
south,  and  next  is  the  Western  one,  of  the  great  Mississippi 
valley,  with  its  16,674  miles  of  waters  navigable  for  steam 
boats,  and  its  system  of  20,000  miles  of  railroads  now  in  suc 
cessful  operation,  and  its  hundreds  ot  thousands  of  coal 
burning  engines,  locomotives,  factories,  furnaces,  machine 
shops,  &c. 

These  rivers  and  railroads  traverse  the  country  of  16  mag 
nificent,  populous,  and  growing  States,  of  an  aggregate 
of  one  million  square  miles,  and  minister  to  the  wants  of 
abont  one-third  of  the  population  of  the  United  States. 

To  form  a  better  idea  of  the  wealth  and  demands  of  this 
western  country,  it  may  be  stated  that  the  tonnage  of  the 
Upper  Ohio,  in  steamers,  barges  and  boats,  exceeds  that  of 
New  York,  and  that  the  trade  of  the  Ohio  river,  as  estimated 
by  Government  Engineers,  exceeds  the  entire  foreign  commerce 
of  the  United  States. 

Before  the  war,  the  consumption  of  mineral  fuel  was 
increasing  year  by  year,  at  a  rapid  rate  throughout  the 
West,  and  as  the  growth  of  that  region  in  population  and 
wealth  has  been  even  more  rapid  since  that  time,  so  the 
demand  for  coal  has  [increased,  and  must  do  so,  to  enormous 
bounds. 


RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA.  243 

Again,  not  only  does  the  market  become  greater  by  increase 
of  population,  but  it  makes  larger  demands,  year  by  year, 
from  additions  and  improvements  to  the  arts  and  manufac 
tures  ;  for  every  new  invention  of  a  labor  saving  machine 
usually  implies  a  new  source  for  the  use  of  coal,  either  directly, 
in  the  production  of  steam  to  run  it,  or  indirectly,  in  produc 
ing  heat  or  steam  for  its  manufacture,  and  often  for  both. 

Surely  with  so  excellent  fuels  as  West  Virginia  possesses,  it 
may  with  all  reison,  look  forward  to  the  time  when  it  may 
contribute  no  small  per  centage  of  this  growing  increase. 

The  cannel  and  the  gas  coals  will,  from  their  superiority, 
grow  yearly  in  favor,  and  become  more  in  demand,  and  the 
State  can  expect  larger  and  larger  exportations.  But  for  splint 
and  pure  coking  coals  that  are  suitable  to  iron  making,  the 
greatest  demand  will  not  be  from  abroad,  but  in  home  markets. 
By  this  is  meant  the  consumption  that  will  be  found  within 
or  near  our  own  borders  in  the  blast  furnace  and  its  attendant 
industries. 

Besides  the  iron  ores  found  in  the  Coal  Measures  of  West 
Virginia,  its  eastern  side  forms  part  of  the  great  iron  belt  of 
the  United  States,  which  runs  from  northern  Pennsylvania  to 
middle  Alabama,  and  is  so  richly  developed  in  our  State  and 
Virginia,  between  the  Alleghanies  and  the  Blue  Ridge. 

In  this  belt  the  ores,  for  the  most  part,  are  the  brown 
oxides,  yielding  in  Virginia  from  40  to  50  per  cent,  of  iron. 
They  are  usually  worked  in  open  quarries,  and  though  fine 
in  the  northern  portion  of  the  State,  increase,  both  in  quality 
and  quantity,  as  we  follow  the  belt  in  its  southwesterly  course, 
till  in  the  last  counties  to  the  south  they  are  very  rich. 

In  treating  of  the  geology  of  this  portion  of  Virginia  and 
West  Virginia,  Professor  Rogers  says  :  "  Of  the  twelve  rocks, 
each  marked  by  certain  distinctive  characteristics,  composing 
the  mountains  and  valleys  of  this  region,  it  has  been  deter 
mined  that  at  least  eight  are  accompanied  by  beds  of  iron  ore."* 

General  Haupt,t  in  speaking  of  the  minerals  along  the  line 
of  his  road,  which  runs  in  this  iron  belt  across  the  State  of 
Virginia,  says :  "  The  iron  deposits  are  very  numerous,  and 
of  superior  quality.  Pennsylvania,  rich  as  she  is,  is  poor  in 
iron  ores  as  compared  with  Virginia.'' 

-Geology  of  Virginia.  183(>.  "W.  B.  Rogers,  State  Geologist, 
f  Chief  Engineer  ot  the  Shenandoah  Valley  Railroad, 


244  RESOURCES   OF    WEST   VIRGINIA, 

On  the  eastern  edge  of  this  iron  country,  on  both  sides  of 
the  Blue  Ridge,  are  the  magnetic  and  red  haematite  ores.  On 
the  James  river,  in  the  counties  of  Bedford,  Amherst,  Nelson, 
Buckingham,  &c.,  the  magnetics  are  exceedingly  fine,  and  in 
Patrick,  Henry.  Grayson,  Floyd  and  Carrol  counties,  they,  as 
well  as  the  brown  oxides,  also  abound. 

Scattered  throughout  this  belt  are  many  charcoal  furnaces, 
some  of  them  producing  metal  of  such  quality  that  in  1871  it 
was  bringing  £55  to  $56  per  ton  in  Philadelphia,  while'the 
Pennsylvania  iron  on  the  Lehigh,  was  selling  for  $35, 

A  furnace  of  6  to  7  tons  daily  capacitj',  requires  about  200 
acres  of  ordinary  Virginia  forest  to  supply  it  with  fuel  for  a 
year,  and  hence  it  will  be  seen  that  timber  is  too  soon  stripped 
from  the  vicinity  of  a  furnace  to  depend  on  it  as  a  smelting 
i,gp»t  in  very  large  and  extensive  works;  while  in  rolling 
mills,  £c-,  coal,  ia  a  necessity.  These  ores  will,  therefore,  look 
to  other  sources  for  their  reduction,  and  they  must  turn  to 
West  Virginia  coal,  for  besides  being  most  excellent  for  this 
purpose,  they  are  the  nearest. 

In  the  history  of  the  iron  trade,  the  ore  usually  has  come  to 
the  coal,  and  not  the  cjal  to  the  ore  :  but  in  this  case,  owing  to 
the  nea,i4iictf«  of  the  one  to  the  other,  a  reciprocity  ot  freights 
vrili  be  established,  and  each  will  be  taken  into  the  other's 
district,  and  when  brought  into  communication  along  the 
length  of  the  State,  we  can  look  forward  to  the  day  when 
West  Virginia  and  the  bordering  iroi*  counties  of  Virginia  will 
be  teeming  hives  of  industry  and  wealth,  and  one  of  the  most 
important  centres  of  the  iron  manufacture  of  the  United 
States,  while  the  ever  consuming  fires  of  the  blast  furnace  will 
furnish  one  of  the  largest  markets  for  our  fuels. 

The  following  tables  show  the  quotations  of  the  chief  West 
Virginia  coals  in  the  principal  eastern  and  western  markets  to 
which  they  are  carried.  For  the  sake  of  comparison,  their 
greatest  rivals  from  other  States,  are  also  added.  The  prices 
are  taken  from  the  quotations  given  in  the  Engineering  and 
Mining  Journo-1,  on  the  first  Saturday  of  each  of  the  six  months 
ending  1st  April,  1876. 


RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA. 


245 


NEW  YORK. 

"Wholesale  Per  Ton  of  2,240  Pounds  Alongside 


COAL. 

State, 

! 

:  Nov. 

Dec. 

Jan. 

Feb.   March  April. 

Westmoreland    and  ) 
Per»  n                         j 

Penna.. 
W    Va 

.,    SO  50 

.;     0.50 
•0.50 

S0.50 

(i  50 

0.50 
0-50 
0.50 
0.50 
8.50 
10.00 
11.00 
11.50 
0.50 

$0.50 

0.50 

0.50 
0.50 
6.50 
0  50 
8.50 
10.00 
11.01 
11.00 
0  50 

r~~ 
i     ~f 

$0.00 

5.75 

6  00 
6.00 

o.oo 

0.00 

8.50 

so.oo 

5.75 

0.00 
0.00 
000 
0.00 

8.50 

Youghiogheny,          1 
Waveny  County..  / 
Despard       

Murphy's  Run   

lYnna.. 
Ohio  
W.vVa, 

050 
0.50 
(5.50 
.       8.50 
.     10.00 
.     11.00 
11.50 
6.50 

Fairmont  

Newburg  Orrel  

Red  Bank  Cannel  
Straitsville        "    
Caimeltoii         "    
Paytona             "     
Canneltoii  Splint  

10.51 

ooc 

10.50 
10.50 
6.00 

PvICHMOXD,  VA. 

"Wholesale  Per  Ton  of  2,  240  Pounds  on  Ship  Board. 

COAL. 

State. 

'  Nov. 

Dec. 

Jan. 

i 
Feb.    March]  April. 

Kanawha  Cannel  W.  Va. 
Coalburg  Splint  " 
Lewiston      "      " 

$12.00  S12.00S1200 
4  90  4.75  4.75 
4.90!  475  4.75 

$9.00 
4.75 
4.75 

so.oo:  $9.00 

4.75      4.75 
4.75       4.75 

Kanawha  Gas  '• 

4.501  4  50  4.50 

4  50 

4.50      4.50 

New  River  bituminous        " 
Clover  Hill  Va, 
James  River               )          u 
Bituminous  j  j 

4.50;  4.50  4  50 
4.2");  4.25  4.25 

3.30  3  30  3  30 

4.50 
4.00 

:',  30 

4.50      4.50 
4.00       4  00 

330       3.30 

CINCINNATI,  OHIO. 

"Wholesale  Per  Bushel  Afloat. 


COAL 


Nov.     Dec. 

I 


Jan.    j  Feb.  March  April. 


Youghiogheny  

Pittsburgh 

Penna... 
Penna... 
Ohio  

lOc 
lOc 
8c 
lOc 

lOc 
lOc 

8c 
lOc 

9c 

9c 
Oc 
lOc 

7}c  i 
7Ac  ; 

_f  I 
7$c  \ 

7-]c 
7|c 
5c 

7  2  C 

7.1c 
7Jc 
5Jc 

7|c 

Pomerov  

Kanawha  

W.  Va... 

LOUISVILLE,  KY. 

Retail  Per  Bushel. 


COAL.        State. 


Nov. 

Dec. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

~  j 
j  March. 

April. 

Pittsburgh  'Penna . . . 
Raymond  : 

City \\.  Va... 

Pine  ffilLJKy 

Pevtona 


14c 

13c 
13c 


14c 


13c 


14c 


13c 


Cannel. ..[W.  Va..~  20  to  22c|20  to  22ci20  to  22c 


14c 

i:]c 
13c 


14c 

13c 
13c 


20  to  22ci20  to  22c  20  to  22c 


lie 
13c 


24fi  RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA. 

A  final  summing  up  of  the  advantages  possessed  by  the  West 
Virginia  coal  field,  are : 

1st.  A  very  large  area  of  coal  strata  of  unusual -regularity, 
great  thickness  and  excellent  quality. 

2d.  In  this  coal  field  are  numerous  seams  of  splint,  cannel, 
and  bituminous  coal,  which  rank  with,  and  sometimes  excel 
the  best  coals  of  the  Tnited  States. 

3rZ.  It  has  railroad  connection  with  the  western  markets,  as 
well  as  communication  with  40,000  miles  of  western  river 
navigation  and  railroads,  along  which  are  many  large  and 
manufacturing  towns. 

4th.  Within  its  boundaries,  and  skirting  its  eastern  borders, 
are  deposits  of  iron  ore  of  good  quality,  in  great  profusion,  and 
of  all  the  varieties  necessary  for  the  manufacture  of  first  rate 
iron. 

bth.  The  vast  deposits  of  ore  in  the  adjoining  State  of  Vir 
ginia,  have  to  look  to  the  West  Virginia  coal  field  for  the  fuesl 
for  their  reduction. 

These  facts  should  commend  our  State  in  the  most  confident 
terms  to  the  careful  notice  of  those  who  desire  an  advantage 
ous  location  for  mining  coal,  and  for  the  erection  of  blast  fur 
naces  and  their  allied  industries. 


CHAPTER   XI. 
IRON. 

BY   M.    F.    MAURY. 

The  iron  to  be  found  in  West  Virginia  may  be  divided  into 
two  classes : 

1.  Those  ores  which  belong  to,  and  are  found  in  the  Appa 
lachian  Coal  Measures,  consisting  of  Brown  Oxides,  Carbon 
ates,   and   Black    Bands,   and   in  some   places,    nodular    red 
hematite. 

2.  Those  which   belong  to    the  region     lying  between  the 
eastern    escarpment  of    the  coal    formation  and'  the   eastern 
border   of  the    State,  forming  a  part  of  the  great  iron  belt  of 
the   Atlantic   States,   and  consisting  of  the   brown   and   red 
haematites,   which   are  much  more  rich   and  abundant  than 
those  of  the  first  class. 

IRON  ORES  OF  THE  COAL  MEASURES. 

Little  attention  has  been  paid  to  the  iron  of  this  geological 
horizon,  except  in  the  northern  counties,  where  a  few  small 
blast  furnaces  have  worked  the  native  ores.  With  these  excep 
tions,  as  there  was  generally  no  cheap  and  convenient  outlet, 
and  consequently  no  great  value  for  this  mineral  or  its  pro 
duct,  it  has  not  possessed  much  attraction  for  the  people  at 
large,  and  but  little  attention  has  been  paid  to  it. 

A  careful  geological  survey  may,  and  no  doubt  will,  show 
that  we  possess  more  workable  beds  of  it  than  are  now  known, 
and  in  fact,  within  the  last  two  years  most  valuable  searns  of 
Black  Band  ores  have  been  uncovered,  the  presence  of  which 
was  not  thought  of  before. 

Laboring  under  these  disadvantages,  and  with  a  great  lack 


248  RESOURCES   OF    WEST  VIRGINIA. 

of  data,  only  a  very  imperfect  sketch  of  this  mineral  element 
of  wealth  can  at  present  be  given. 

In  the  chapter  on  Coal,  it  will  be  remembered  that  the  Coal 
Measures  were  divided  into  four  great  divisions,  viz.: 

The  Lower  Coal  Measures. 

The  Lower  Barren  Measures. 

The  Upper  Coal  Measures. 

The  Upper  Barren  Measures. 

With  but  one  exception  (in  Jackson  county),  so  far  as  exam 
inations  go,  it  is  only  the  first  two  that  in  West  Virginia  con 
tain  workable  beds  of  ore,  which  may  be  divided  into  Carbon 
ates  and  Black  Bands. 

Black  Band  Iron  Ore. — This  is  nothing  more  than  a  Carbon 
ate  of  Iron,  of  a  more  or  less  black  color,  by  reason  of  an. 
admixture  of  bituminous  matter.  So  far  as  yet  known,  it  is 
confined  entirely  to  the  southern  part  of  the  State,  where  it 
has  been  discovered  only  within  the  last  few  years.  From  the 
fact  of  its  very  often  resembling  black  slate  in  its  structure,  it 
may  often  have  been  passed  over  unnoticed,  and  careful. search 
will  no  doubt  show  it  in  many  places,  where  it  is  not  now  sus 
pected. 

It  is  a  class  of  material  that  makes  an  excellent  iron,  and 
from  which  much  of  the  celebrated  Scotch  pig  is  smelted.  It 
possesses  an  especial  value,  from  the  fact  that,  in  many  cases, 
a  low  grade  ore  can  be  roasted  into  a  higher  grade.  For 
instance,  take  that  from  Davis  creek,  in  Kanawha  county. 
Where  mined,  it  contains  33  per  cent  of  metallic  iron,  and  26 
per  cent,  of  carbonaceous  matter.  By  piling  it  in  heaps,  and 
setting  fire  thereto,  the  carbonaceous  matter  is  burnt  out,  and  ' 
in  the  process  of  combustion,  generates  enough  heat  to  con 
vert  the  carbonate  of  iron  in  the  ore  into  a  richer  oxide,  so 
that  the  mass,  after  being  thus  roasted,  analyses  65  per  cent, 
of  metallic  iron. 

Unfortunately,  we  can  never  reckon  or  depend  upon  any 
seam  of  it  continuing  of  a  uniform  value,  for  in  one  place  it 
will  contain  an  ore  well  worth  working,  while  half  a  mile  off  it 
may  become  so  mixed  with  slate  or  earthy  impurities  as  to  be 
utterly  valueless.  As  an  example:  On  Bell  creek,  Fayette 
county,  an  excellent  bed  about  4  feet  thick  was  found  by 
Mr.  L.  Bemelmans,  of  Charleston.  Some  2  or  3  miles  from 


RESOURCES   OF   WEST  VIRGINIA*  249 

this  place,  up  a  ravine  a  short  distance  below  the  mouth  of 
Bell,  the  same  seam  showed  only  12  to  14  inches  of  the  good 
material,  while  on  Little  Elk  run,  of  Gauley  river,  some 
three  miles  to  the  north,  the  results  of  two  analyses  from  the 
same  seam  gave  only  5  and  7  per  cent,  respectively,  of  metal 
lic  iron.  If  we  search  for  it  in  another  direction,  it  may  open 
to  a  very  valuable  deposit.  From  this  irregularity,  and  from 
the  fact  that  it  has  been  well  proven  in  this  field,  it  will  be 
readily  understood  that  careful  search  may  find  it  in  many 
places  where  it  has  never  yet  been  noticed,  and  wherever  it  JB 
found  in  workable  quantity  its  presence  adds  great  value  to 
the  land. 

So  new  is  this  ore  to  our  people  that  it  has  been  discovered 
in  workable  strata  in  only  two  counties. 

The  first  is  in  Wayne,  near  the  Big  Sandy  river.  There 
has  been  no  analysis  of  it  from  this  place,  but  one  made  by  E. 
S.  Wayne,  of  Cincinnati,  from  the  2-J-feet  seam  in  Kentucky, 
a  short  distance  from  the  West  Virginia  line,  shows  : 

Prot.   Oxide  Iron - .'54.07 

Per  Oxide  Iron 231 

Alumina .43 

Lime ,. .  7.31 

Magnesia 0.30 

Carbonic  Acid 37.40 

Phosphoric  Acid 17 

Sulphur 34 

Organic  Matter — * 0.45 

Insoluble  Matter 3.34 

Water 2.30 

100.00 
Metallic  Iron 28.12  per  cent. 

The  second  is  on  Davis  and  Briar  creeks,  in  Kanawha 
county,  where  many  openings  have  been  made,  and  its  extent 
over  a  large  area  well  proven.  The  seam  is  6  to  7  feet  thick, 
and  in  this  are  from  4  to  5  feet  of  good  workable  ore. 

An  analysis  by  Otto  Wuth,  of  Pittsburgh,  Pa.,  gives: 

Silicic  Acid 4.04 

Carbonate  of  Iron 68.35 

Phosphoric;   Acid 0.58 

Sulphur .     0.42 

Carbonaceous  Matter,  some  Lime  and  Alumina 20.02 

100.00 
Metallic  Iron , 33      per  cent, 

32 


250  RESOURCES   OF   WEST   VIRGINIA. 

•'Thoroughly  roasted,  it  would  then  contain  about  6.5  per 
cent  of  metallic  iron,  while  there  is  more  than  enough  car 
bonaceous  matter  to  roast  it.  I  consider  it  a  Black  Band  ore 
of  the  first  quality."— (Otto  Wutli). 

On  Bell  creek,  in  Fayette,  Little  Elk  run,  in  Nicholas,  and 
Little  Sycamore  creek,  of  Elk  river,  in  Clay,  outcrops  of  it 
have  been  observed. 

Carbonate  of  Iron. — Under  this  head  may  also  be  classed  the 
Brown  Haematites  of  the  Coal  Measures,  as  they  are  merely 
the  results  of  the  decomposition  of  the  Carbonates,  and  in 
fact,  when  a  seam  of  the  former  is  discovered,  we  may  expect 
it  to  turn  into  the  latter  as  soon  as  we  go  far  enough  under 
ground  to  get  beyond  atmospheric  influences. 

We  see  the  result  of  this  decomposition  in  the  pieces  of 
Brown  Oxide  that  are  found  on  the  hills  in  every  portion  of 
the  State.  These  have  lead  to  many  erroneous  ideas  as  to  the 
richness  of  certain  localities  in  this  mineral,  which  came  origi 
nally  from  the  carbonates  of  iron  existing  in  the  beds  that 
were  once  superimposed  upon  the  present  strata,  and  have 
long  since  been  worn  away  by  erosion.  As  this  took'place,  the 
lighter  materials  wore  washed  off  by  the  currents,  while  the 
heavier  ore  Fettled  down  and  was  left,  resting  on  our  hill  sides. 
Sometimes  a  great  deal  was  deposited  in  one  place,  and  the  soil 
is  full  of  it,  while  in  others  but  a  single  lump  wras  left,  and 
hence  it  is  that  on  many  of  our  mountains  wre  find  the  u  blos 
som  "  of  good  ore,  and  yet  have  no  bed  of  it  near  by. 

Like  the  Black  Band,  the  seams  of  Carbonate  of  Iron  are 
quite  variable,  so  that  in  one  locality  they  will  be  workable, 
while  in  another  they  may  have  thinned  down  or  degenerated 
so  much  from  an  admixture  of  earthy  impurities,  as  to  be 
worthless.  They  usually  contain  more  or  less  Carbonate  ot 
Lime,  which  is  of  much  importance  in  the  blast  furnace,  in 
helping  to  flux  out  any  earthy  impurities  that  may  be  present. 

By  roasting,  the  carbonic  acid  of  this  ore  is  driven  off,  and 
the  mass  is  converted  i  nto  the  red  oxide.  As  the  former,  when 
pure,  contains  48.3  per  cent  of  iron,  and  the  latter  70  per  cent., 
it  will  at  once  be  perceived  that  a  thorough  burning  will  raise 
the  per  c>»iitage  so  that  an  ore  of  low  grade  can  often  be  roasted 
to  a  higher  one — a  very  fortunate  circumstance,  as  otherwise 
many  of  our  seams  would  be  too  poor  to  be  of  value. 


RESOURCES   OF   WEST   VIRGINIA.  251 

With  the  present  lack  of  information,  we  are  not  able  to 
trace  the  various  seams  from  point  to  point,  showing  how 
they  thin  out  or  thicken  up,  and  can  only  mention  the  indi 
vidual  localities  where  the;/  have  been  opened.  This  will 
show  the  frequent  occurrence  of  this  mineral,  and  gives  reason 
to  believe  that  very  many  more  localities  with  workable  de 
posits,  can  be  found. 

Mineral  and  Grant  Counties. — lu  that  portion  of  these  coun 
ties  that  is  underlaid  by  the  Coal  Measures,  the  ores  that  have 
been  discovered,  though  very  good,  are  not  usually  workable, 
on  account  of  the  thinness  of  the  beds.  The  following  are  the 
analyses  that  have  been  made  from  this  region  by  Prof.  Rogers : 


No  1. 

!            i 
No.  2.|No.  3.|No.  4. 

j 

No.  5. 

Curb.  Iron            . 

79.56 
3  36 

71.00 
5.76 
4.00 
12.20 
3  60 

77.20 
324 
2.80 
11.40 
244 
1.32 
trace 

6164 
3.48 
2  24 

24.*88 
4.60 
2.04 
trace 

68.68 
1.80 
3.12 
20.72 
2,76 
1.56 
trace 

Carb.  I>irQf 

Carb  \Eairnesia. 

2.56 
10.16 
1  84 

Silica 

\lumina 

Water 

1.40 
truce 

1.80 
trace 

Carb.  Alaii^aiieBC 

Metallic  Iron 

98  88 
38.42 

98.36 
1  34.29 

98.40 

38.28 

,  98.80 
!  29.77 

98.64 
33.17 

No.  1,  is  from  Grant  county,  on  Stony  river,  4  miles  from  the 
crossing  of  the  Northwestern  pike.  It  occurs  in  nodules  of 
from  8  to  10  inches  in  diameter,  in  a  band  of  calcareous  shales, 
which  latter  also  contain,  irregularly  distributed,  another  and 
coarser  kind  of  ore,  quite  siliceous,  and  sometimes  having  the 
appearance,  when  freshly  fractured,  of  a  poor  article,  but  upon 
exposure  assuming  a  deep  ferruginous  hue.  An  analysis  of 
this  latter  is  shown  in 

No.  2,  from  the  Falls  of  Stony  river,  7  miles  above  the  North 
western  pike.  Here  the  shales  are  15  to  20  feet  thick.  The 
ore  is  found  in  a  5  foot  bed,  which  would  yield  about  3J  feet 
of  solid  ore. 

No.  3.  In  the  same  band,  6  miles  below  the  mouth  of  Abrams 
creek,  in  Mineral  county,  on  the  Potomac,  the  ore  occurs  again, 
being  in  some  places  18  inches  thick,  though  very  variable. 

No.  4,  Is  still  from  the  same  band,  from  Wilson's  Mill,  2  miles 
below  the  mouth  of  Abrams  greek,  in  Mineral  county.  The 


252 


RESOURCES   OF   WEST   VIRGINIA. 


ore  occurs  in  nodules  1  to  12  inches  in  diameter.  It  would  be 
well  to  state  that  these  shales  in  many  places,  especially  on 
Stony  river,  contain  bands  of  very  pure  limestone. 

No.  5.  From  a  seam  6  inches  thick,  from  the  shales  above  the 
second  seam  of  coal,  at  Brantzburg,  on  the  Potomac,  in.  Miner 
al  county. 

These  analyses  are  given  mainly  to  show  the  quality  of  the 
ore  hi  this  basin,  with  the  hopes  that  they  may  encourage  fur 
ther  investigation  as  to  the  quantity  of  this  valuable  mineral. 

Preston  County. — The  following  are  the  analyses  that  were 
made  of  the  ores  of  this  county  by  Prof.  Wm.  B.  Rogers. 


No.  1. 

.No.  2. 

No.  3. 

Carbonate  of  Tron  

<>8.(U 
5.84 
12.04 
10.48 
1  80 

92.00 

jl.20 
J 

4.80 
1.20 

82.50 
2.24 
3.7H 

8.44 
2.12 
1.04 
trace 

Carbonate  of  Lime  

Carbonate  of  Magnesia  

Silica 

Alumina     .                            

Water... 

2.12 

trace 

100.92 
33.15 

1.12 

trace 

Carbonate  <  >f  Manganese 

Metallic  Iron  -.  

100.32 
44.43 

lOO.ltt 
39.87 

No.  1.  One  mile  below  Kingwood  Ferry  the  shales  which 
overlie  the  lowest  coal  seam  of  the  basin,  contain  5  bands  of 
rich  iron  ore  within  a  space  of  4  to  5  feet;  the  lowest  band  is 
occasionally  4  to  5  inches  thick,  and  the  upper  ones  generally^ 
about  2  inches. 

No.  2.  In  the  vicinity  of  German  Settlement,  on  the  summit 
of  a  high  hill  on  the  north  side  of  the  Rhine,  is  the  outcrop  of  a 
body  of  iron  ore  of  a  superior  quality.  It  occurs  on  the  surface 
over  a  wide  area  in  large  fragments,  and  is  also  found  a  short 
distance  beneath.  These  fragments  are  evidently  in  place, 
and  are  portions  of  a  bed  which  occurs  near  the  surface.  ( W. 
B.  Rogers.) 

No.  3.  Two  and  a  half  miles  up  Muddy  creek  from  its 
mouth,  at  Deep  run  hollow,  the  ore  varies  from  3  to  12  inches. 
Beneath  this  is  a  cacareous  shale  containing  nodules  of  im 
pure  iron  ore  8  to  10  inches  in  diameter. 

A  very  rich  ore  occurs  at  Mr.  Mich.  Hart  man's  old  place  in 
Crab  Orchard.  The  fragments  are  strewn  on  the  surface  over 


RESOURCES   OF   WEST   VIRGINIA.  253 

a  wide  area  and  seem  to  indicate  a  contiuous  vein. — (W.  B. 
Rogers.)  It  is  a  deep  red.  inclining  to  bro;vn,  compact,  fine 
grain.  It  shows  24.96  per  cent  of  silica,  and  46.67  per  cent  of 
metallic  iron. 

The  Austin  Coal  Co.,  on  the  Bait,  and  Ohio  R.  R.,  have  a 
seam  of  iron  ore  16  to  20  inches  thick,  30  feet  below  their 
coal  mine.  The  material  is  shipped  to  the  Lancaster  Furnace, 
Irontown,  in  Taylor  county,  and  the  seam  is  the  same  as  that 
worked  at  the  Franklin  or  Martin  Iron  Works,  on  Three 

Forks  creek. 

From  the  northeast  portion  of  Preston,  in  Grant  township, 
we  have  reports  of  two  veins  of  ore,  each  4  feet  thick,  but  no 
details  concerning  them  are  given. 

In  the  western  portion  of  the  county,  from  the  vicinity  of 
Reedsville,  two  seams  are  reported:  one  22  inches  of  honey 
comb  ore,  and  the  other  6  to  36  inches  of  red  lump,  which 
were  formerly  worked  at  the  Rock  Forge,  in  the  adjoining 
county  of  Monongalia. 

On  Three  Forks  river  the  ores  are  said  to  be  of  superior 
quality  and  to  occur  under  peculiarly  favorable  conditions  for 
working. 

On  the  estate  of  the  Kingwood  Gas  Coal  and  Iron  Co.,  at 
Tunnelton,  is  .a  seam  of  carbonate  of  iron  that  is  reported  as 
averaging  2  feet  thick.  It  crops  out  in  many  places  on  the 
company's  land,  and  also  for  several  miles  over  the  adjacent 
country. 

An  analysis  of  an  average  of  various  sample?,  by  Otto  Wuth, 
of  Pittsburgh,  shows  : 

Silicic  Acid 2.64 

Alumina 0.31 

Carbonate  of  Iron 67.36        Metallic  Iron  32.52 

"  Lime 18.80 

"  Magnesia 6.41 

Manganese : 0.51 

Sulphate  of  Lime 0.56        Sulphur 0.13 

Phosphate  of  Lime 3.32        Phosphorus 0.66 

"  When  roasted  the  ore  will  yield  about  50  per  cent  in  the 
k*  furnace,  "it  being  a  limestone  ore,  remarkably  free  from  sili- 
k'  ca,  other  more  siliceous  ores  can  be  worked  with  it  without 
"  using  an  additional  flux." 


254  RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA. 

Four  iron  furnaces  have  been  worked  in  this  county,  though 
none  are  now  in  operation.  Hardman  and  Lancaster  Furnace 
(the  Franklin  or  Martins),  on  Three  Forks,  near  the  Bait,  and 
Ohio  R.  R.,  went  out  of  blast  in  the  spring  of  1875.  The  other 
three  are  Muddy  Creek  Furnace  (Landoa's),  on  Muddy  creek  ; 
the  Gladeville  Furnace,  and  Carlisle's  Furnace,  in  the  north 
eastern  portion  of  the  county,  near  the  Pennsylania  line. 
This  last  is  said  to  have  been  one  of  the  original  furnaces  in. 
the  country. 

Monongalia  Comity. — The  workable  beds  of  iron  ore  seem  to 
be  found  in  the  eastern  portion  01  this  county.  Samples  from 
nine  distinct  seams  were  gotten  and  sent  to  the  Centennial 
office  in  Wheeling  in  February,  1876,  to  be  forwarded  to  the 
International  Exhibition  to  be  held  in  Philadelphia.  Begin 
ning  at  the  lowest  and  ascending  in  regular  order,  they  were 
described  in  the  invoice  that  accompanied  them,  as  follows  : 

No.  1.  "  Martin  Vein/'  about  18  inches  thick  at  the  outcrop. 

No.  2.  ''England  Ore."  Thickness  18  inches.  Formerly 
used  at  the  Decker's  Creek  Furnace. 

No.  3.  "Stratford  Ore."  Thickness  IS  inches.  Formerly 
used  at  the  Decker's  Creek  Furnace. 

No.  4.  "Spring  Hill  Ore."  Thickness  30  inches.  This  is 
the  same  seam  as  that  worked  at  Duncan's  Furnace,  Pennsyl 
vania. 

No.  5.  u  S wisher  Ore."  Formerly  extensively  used  at  the 
Decker's  Creek  Furnace. 

No.  6.  "  Haine's  Ore."  Thickness  2  feet.  Formerly  used 
at  the  Decker's  Creek  and  Cheat  River  Furnaces. 

No.  1.  "  Scott  Ore."  Thickness  18  inches.  Formerly  used 
at  the  Decker's  Creek  Furnace. 

No.  8.  u  Hastings  Ore."  Thickness  18  inches.  Formerly 
used  at  the  Cheat  River  Furnaces. 

No.  9.  "  Clippart  Vein."  About  2  feet  thick.  The  analyses* 
of  samples  from  each  of  these  give  : 


"These  and  all  other  analyses  given   in  this   chapter,   were   in  ad 
another  Chemist  Is  mentioned,)  by  C.  E.  Dwight,  of  Wheeling, 


SSSOtTRCES   OF   WEST   VIRGINIA. 


255 


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cf 

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T—  f 

CO 

CONTENTS. 

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re 

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ffl 

o 

Carbonate  of  Iron  J61.01    09.61 

31.19  

59.159  ... 

4981 

51.67 

62.60 

Hesquioxide  of  Iron  3.44 

1.79 

11.89  70.49 

L8.76 

57.71 

2380 

7.55 

2.54 

071 

122 

Oxide  of  Manganese-...  {  0.01 
Carbonate  of  Lime  11,95 

trace 
4.91 

tr'ce 

26.05 

1.07    1,41 
2.28   5.22 

3.34 

5.60 

2.43 
13.25 

0.23 
19.26 

0.02 
8.37 

Carbonate  of  Xagnesia.  j  2  10 

0.21 

2.-15    1.01    031;  2.10 

311 

1.35 

0.31 

Silicr  15.14 

20  75 

15-55 

14.41  13.041S  19 

4.06  15,98 

21.62 

Alumina,  •                          '  4  4K 

1  °3 

2.12 

2.10 

0.31 

2.10 

1.48    1.25 

321 

Phosphor"'    -•'"!d 

0  53 

0  71  i    M  S9 

0.44   0.37 

1.99  ().(;:  I 

069 

041 

Sulphuric   Ackl  

0.37 

0.30i  0.42 

0.32    0.49 

0,74 

0.54 

082 

0.22 

-Moisture 

0  04 

0.48    1  0%> 

6.90    038 

6.80 

0.68    0.7»' 

048 

99.09  99.97 

99.09J100.oo 

99.59 

99.80 

99  80 

99.56 

9978 

Metallic  Iron  31.86    34.6927.24 

49  69  41.94  11.35 

40.71  39  2  j 

32.00 

Phosphorus  0.231     0.31 
Sulphur  0.151     0.12 

0.39 
0.17 

0.19i  0.16    0.87 
013!  020    030 

027;  0..30 
0.22   0.33 

0.18 
009 

These  thicknesses  appear  to  be  somewhat  excsptional  and, 
local,  as  neither  Profs.  Wm.  B.  Rogers  or  J.  J.  Stevenson,  who 
have  both  examined  this  county  on  the  line  of  Decker's  creek 
and  Scott's  run,  make  any  mention  of  so  many  seams  of  these 
sizes. 

According  to  this  latter  gentleman,  the  most  extensive  ore 
deposit  (the  Clippart  vein,)  of  this  county,  is  in  the  Lower  Bar 
ren  Measures,  in  the  shale  immediately  underlying  the  Pitts 
burgh  coal  seam.  It  is  a  proto-carbonate  of  iron,  rich  and 
pure,  in  some  places  locally  known  as  the  '%  Olyphant  blue 
jump."  Near  Uniontown,  in  Pennsylvania,  it  is  well  devel 
oped,  and  Mr.  Olyphant  has  worked  it  successfully  there  for 
many  years  in  the  Fair  Chance  Furnace.  On  Scott's  Run, 
near  Haigh's  Mill,  the  quantity  is  considerable.  It  is  said  to 
be  found  south  of  Fairmont,  in  Marion  county,  on  the  Monon- 
gahela  river. 

The  following  are  the  analyses  that  have  been  obtained  of 
the  ores  of  this  county,  by  Prof.  Wm.  B.  Rogers,  who  gives  the 
following  account  of  these  . 


256 


RESOURCES   OF  WEST   VIRGINIA. 


No.l. 

No.  2. 

No.  3 

No.    4. 

No.  5. 

No.  0. 

No.  7. 

Cnrb.  Iron 

93  08 

04  3° 

00  00 

71-16 

89  I9 

70  72 

78  90 

Carb.    Lime  

trace 

trace 

trace 

3.72 

4.40 

Carb.   Magnesia  

trace 

trace 

trace 

X    1  40 

j 

|  0.80 

2.80 

3.00 

Silica  

4.48 

2720 

31.20 

22.48 

7.78 

12.72 

11.20 

\1  urn  in  a. 

0  80 

4  10 

3  70 

0  90 

1  40 

0  04 

1  40 

Water             

1  %>4 

1  k>0 

•>  00 

1  04 

088 

1.70 

°oo 

Carb.  Manganese  

trace 

trace 

trace 

trace 

trace 

trace 

trace 

Metallic  Iron... 

99.00 
44.95 

90.88 
31.00 

97.56 

29  27 

99.04 
34.37 

99.98 
43.04 

99.70 
37.05 

100.20 
37.77 

Nos.  1,  2,  3,  4,  and  5,  are  from  three  bands  from  a  black  shale 
from  20  to  30  feet  thick,  that  immediately  underlies  the 
Great  Conglomerate.  It  is  the  ore  from  these  bands  that  sup 
plied  the  Henry  Clay  and  Grenville  Furnaces. 

Nos.  I  and  5  come  from  the  Upper,  or  Castile  band,  which  is 
the  most  uniform  in  thickness  of  the  three.  It  varies  from  8 
to  15  inches,  and,  having  but  a  slight  covering  of  shale,  has 
been  less  protected  from  weathering  than  the  others,  and  is 
therefore,  found  in  a  decomposed  state,  the  whole  bed  some 
times  presenting  the  appearance  of  a  friable,  shaly  oxide 
much  valued  on  account  of  the  ease  with  which  it  works.  Oc 
casionally  it  occurs  in  nodules  merely  incrusted  with  oxide, 
the  nucleus  being  in  the  original  state  of  carbonate  of  iron. 

Nos.  2  and  3  are  from  the  Rock  Vein  at  the  Grenville  Fur 
nace.  It  is  some  8  or  10  feet  below  the  "  Upper  Vein."  The 
ore  is  generally  8  or  10  inches  thick,  though  varying  from  3 
feet  to  3  inches. 

No.  4  is  from  the  Lower  Vein  at  the  Grenville  Furnace,  and* 
is  8  or  10  feet  below  the  "  Rock  Vein.'1     It  varies  from  2  to  6 
inches — averaging  4  inches — and  is  usually  coarse  and  silice 
ous,  and  chiefly   valuable  at  the  outcrop,   where  it  has  been 
decomposed. 

No.  6  and  7  are  both  from  the  lower  part  of  a  6  to  8  feet  bed 
of  dark  blue  argillaceous  shale  on  Decker's  creek.  The  ore. con 
sists  of  a  layer  of  nodules,  and  was  the  material  chiefly  used 
at  the  old  furnace  (the  Valley),  on  that  stream  prior  to  1837. 
It  was  mined  on  the  side  of  Laurel  hill,  in  a  southeast  direc 
tion  from  the  furnace.  The  average  thickness  of  the  band  is 
from  G  to  10  inches,  though  the  nodules  are  sometimes  1-foot 
in  diameter. 


RESOURCES   OF   WEST   VIRGINIA.  257 

There  are  no  furnaces  now  in  operation  in  the  county.  The 
Valley  (?)  (Mr.  Glair's),  on  Decker's  creek,  and  the  Henry 
Clay,  and  Grenville,  near  the  State  line  on  Cheat  river,  were 
started  at  a  very  early  day  in  the  iron  history  of  the  region. 
The  others  that  have  been  worked  are  the  Pridevale,  on  Cheat 
River,  and  the  Clinton  on  Booth's  creek. 

Taylor  County. — The  Centennial  Local  Board  of  this  county 
report  as  follows :  "  There  is  a  large  amount  of  iron  ore  and 
it  is  in  various  parts  of  the  county.  By  the  side  of  the  Bait, 
and  Ohio  R.  R.,  on  the  Valley  river,  at  the  mouth  of  Lost 
Run,  there  is  a  seam  of  excellent  ore,  and  more  than  50  years 
ago  an  iron  furnace  was  erected  there.  In  the  northeastern  part 
of  the  county,  next  to  Preston,  on  Three  Fork  creek  and  the 
railroad,  a  company  from  Lancaster  county,  Pennsylvania, 
erected  a  furnace  named  the  "  Lancaster,"  and  made  iron  from 
the  ore  obtained.  The  property  was  afterwards  purchased  and 
is  now  owned  by  the  "  Lancaster  Furnace  and  Mining  Co.," 
who  built  entirely  new,  large  and  costly  buildings,  furnaces 
and  machinery,  and  shipped  to  market  a  large  amount  of  me 
tal  made  from  the  ore  obtained  from  that  neighborhood." 

Two  miles  from  the  mouth  of  Lost  Run,  on  the  steep  hill 
in  front,  of  John  Riley's  house,  are  three  strata,  each  8  inches 
thick,  of  an  excellent  carbonate  of  iron,  imbedded  in  8  feet  of 
rotten  slate  and  clay.  Below  these  are  nodular  pieces  of  3  to 
15  pounds  weight  in  blue  clay. 

On  Plummer's  run  a  very  fine  article  of  the  same  class  of  ore 
has  been  discovered,  but  never  worked,  and  its  thickness  is  not 
known,  though  it  is  said  that  it  is  in  workable  quantities. 


33 


258 


RESOURCES  OF   WEST   VIRGINIA. 


The  following  are  the   analyses   made  of  ores  from   this 
county : 


Lancaster  Fur 
nace. 

cc 
3 

11 

a 

Lost  Run,  near 
J.  Riley's. 

Garb.  Iron  
Peroxide  Iron 

31.34 
33  98 

24.576 
34443 

33141 
33  100 

Binoxide  JVLan^anose 

trace 

0256 

Oarb  Li  m  e 

16  5° 

13  913 

12495 

Garb  Magnesia 

6.28 

3478 

3214 

Phosphoric  Acid  *  

068 

0.477 

0.536 

Sulphuric  Acid 

013 

1  °01 

1  050 

Silica 

9  36 

16  960 

7536 

131 

2  98° 

4978 

Water  and  Loss  

1.40 

2673 

3.697 

Metallic  Iron  ....    

100.00 

38.91 

100.000 
35.983 

100.000 
39.100 

Phosphorus    ..                             

0.296 

0.207 

0.234 

Sulphur  s  

0052 

0.480 

0.420 

Barbour  County — About  2J-  miles  south  of  Philippi,  on  the 
east  side  of  Tygart's  Valley  river,  and  some.  30  feet  above  the 
water,  is  a  reported2  feet  seam,  and  still  above  this  is  another 
of  the  same  thickness.  Both  of  these  are  carbonate  of  iron  of 
very  excellent  quality  by  the  samples  that  were  forwarded  to 
the  Centennial  office  in  Wheeling. 

Braxton  and  Clay  Counties.—  In  1874  the  Elk  River  Iron  and 
Coal  Co.  built  a  furnace  at  the  mouth  of  Strange  creek,  in 
Braxton,  close  to  the  Clay  line,  and  since  that  date  have  gone 
into  operation,  making  a  No.  1  cold  blast  charcoal  iron.  Their 
developments  have  shown  some  most  excellent  beds  of  ore,  on 
which  the  following  notes  were  made  in  1874,  when  I  last 
visited  them. 

In  Clay  county,  at  the  mouth  of  Standing  Rock  Run,  246 
feet  (barometric  measurement.)  above  Elk  river,  is  a  fine  de 
posit  of  nodular  brown  oxide  of  iron,  the  result  of  decomposi 
tion  from  the  carbonate.  The  nodules  are  very  thickly 
embedded  in  a  soft,  gray  clay,  and  will  yield  from  35  to  40  per 
cent,  of  metallic  iron,  and  being  soft  and  cellular,  work  well  in 
the  furnace.  The  bed  averaged  4  feet  thick,  but  when  exam 
ined,  there  was  no  roof  exposed,  and  the  ore  was  still  under 


RESOURCES  OF   WEST   VIRGINIA.  259 

foot.  Mr.  J.  Savage,  the  President  of  the  company,  who  made 
this  opening,  said  that  at  one  place  he  went  to  the  bottom  of 
the  bed,  and  found  the  total  thickness  6  to  7  feet.  He  also 
traced  the  seam  for  3J  miles  by  walking  along  the  out  crop, 
and  striking  his  pick  in  at  every  80  or  100  yards,  till  he  rolled 
out  nodules  of  the  ore,  and,  having  noted  it  in  the  game  way  at 
many  other  places,  feels  confident  that  it  runs  for  many  miles 
up  and  down  Elk  river.  About  15  feet  lower  down  the  hill 
was  a  very  encouraging  out  crop,  which,  however,  was  not 
sufficiently  opened  to  speak  of  its  thickness. 

About  a  mile  higher  up  the  river,  and  below  the  last,  is 
another  seam  of  the  same  class  of  ore,  though  not  quite  so  rich, 
It  was  opened  enough  to  prove  the  existence  of  a  workable 
bed,  but  the  exact  thickness  could  not  be  measured.  Just 
across  the  river  it  is  partially  opened  again.  Here  the  ore  is 
of  better  quality,  and  in  very  valuable  and  easily  workable 
quantities.  Above  this,  on  the  east  side  of  the  river,  Mr.  Sav 
age  opened  a  2{>  foot  bank. 

These  3  seams  are  found  again  from  2  to  4  miles  below  the 
company's  iurnace  in  Braxton  county.  Concerning  the  min 
eral  at  these  points,  Mr.  Savage,  under  date  of  22nd  March, 
1876,  writes  :  "Our  heaviest  seam  of  ore,  which  is  of  a  gray 
ish  color  before  it  is  burnt,  lies  50  feet  above  Elk  river,  and  is 
a  regular  bed.  We  also  have  two  more  regular  beds  which  are 
100  and  150  feet  respectively,  above  the  stream.  There  is 
another  seam  in  which  the  ore  lies  in  pockets  or  bunches, 
sometimes  3  or  4  feet  thick,  and  again  running  out  complete 
ly.  Near  the  top  of  the  hill  is  what  we  call  the  ;  top  hill  ore,' 
which  is  scattered  promiscuously  over  the  country,  and  appears 
to  be  more  plentiful  in  Clay  than  in  Braxton  county." 

Besides  the  places  mentioned,  Mr.  Savage  has  noticed  one 
or  more  of  these  seams  at  various  points  on  either  side  of  the 
river  for  many  miles  down,  but  as  to  the  continued  thickness 
nothing  can  be  said,  as  few  or  no  openings,  beyond  the  discov 
ery  of  out  crops,  have  been  made,  though  the  indications  are 
very  encouraging. 

The  furnace  of  this  company  is  42  feet  high  and  11  feet 
across  the  boshes.  Concerning  its  working,  the  same  gentle 
man  mentioned  before,  has  kindly  furnished  the  following 
points;  "  We  are  making  only  about  8  tons  per  day  at  this 


260  RESOURCES   OP   WEST   VIRGINIA. 

time,*  using  18  tons  580  pounds  of  roasted  ore,   4  tons  600 
pounds  of  limestone,  and  1500  bushels  of  charcoal.     These  cost 
US- 
Charcoal, 5  cts.  per  bushel,  delivered. 

Limestone, S2.00    per  ton. 

Ore, 2.25       "       " 

"Expenses  of  manufacturing  about  821  per  day.  These 
items  give  a  cost  for  the  pig  iron  of  about  $17  per  ton.  In 
good  weather  on  dry  stock  we  can  make  an  average  of  10  to 
11  tons  a  day,  which  will  make  the  pig  cheaper.  The  reason 
that  we  are  not  making  more  now  is  because  last  season  was 
a  very  bad  year  to  make  charcoal,  and  it  was  out  in  the 
weather  and  is  in  bad  condition,  as  we  had  not  gotten  up  our 
coal  house.  The  in  wall  bosh  and  hearth  rock  were  obtained 
from  this  neighborhood  and  is  superior  to  lire  brick.'7  It 
may  be  proper  to  remark  that  all  of  the  ore  beds  of  this  re 
gion  just  described  occur  in  the  lower  barren  group  of  the 
coal  measures. 

Kanawha  County. — As  far  as  examinations  have  gone,  only  the 
northwestern  half  of  this  county  can  lay  claim  to  iron  ore. 
Those  exposures  that  have  been  observed  are  :  a  2-foot  bed  in 
the  hill-s  across  Elk  river,  opposite  Charleston,  from  which  the 
Kanawha  Iron  Company,  whose  furnace  is  now  building, 
expects  to  draw  a  portion  of  its  supplies ;  a  bed,  2  feet  2  inches 
thick,  one  and  a  quarter  miles  up  Campbell's  creek,  of  a  brown 
oxide,  lying  just  above  the  Black  Flint  Ledge.  It  has,  how 
ever,  a  good  deal  of  sand  in  it,  and  would  have  to  be  mixed 
with  other  and  richer  ores  for  furnace  use. 

A  seam,  on  the  Davis  creek  side  of  the  dividing  ridge  between ' 
that  stream  and  Rush  creek,  was  opened  some  15  or  20  years 
ago,  with  the  intention  of  starting  a  small  furnace,  but  the 
idea  was  abandoned.    It  is  2J  feet  thick,  according  to  the  recol 
lection  of  General  L.  Ruffner,  and  is  on  the  Black  Flint.     It 
is,  therefore,  the  same  bed  as  the  last.      The  ore  that  is  still 
lying  about  is  a  siliceous  brown  oxide,  containing  some  30  or~ 
35  per  cent,  of  iron.      It  would  mix  well  with  the  richer  ores 
of  Virginia. 

Lower  down  Davis  creek  several  workable  seams  of  carbonate 
of  iron,  or  the  results  of  its  decomposition,  are  reported,  an 


••22ud  March,  1876'. 


RESOURCES  OF   WEST   VIRGINIA.  261 

analysis,  by  O.  N.  Stoddard,  of  Woocester  University,  Ohio,  of 
one  80  feet  above  the  Mahoning  Sandstone,  giving — 

Iron 34.927 

Carbonate  Lime 9.400 

Carbonate  Magnesia 2.450 

Siliceous  Matter 15.400 

Alumina 4.210 

Manganese 2.900 

Sulphur- 0.243 

Loss  of  Water  by  Drying, 0.400 

Loss  of  Combined  Matter  by  Ignition 27.800 

Loss.! ." 2.270 

100.000 

This  shows  that  after  the  ore  is  roasted,  and  the  28.2  per  cent, 
of  water  and  combined  matter  are  driven  off,  the  remaining 
mass  will  contain  48.6  per  cent,  of  matallic  iron. 

Wayne  County. — Perhaps  the  best  idea  of  the  iron  ore  of  this 
county  can  be  obtained  from  a  section  made  at  Cassville,  on 
the  Big  Sandy  river,  by  Mr.  Dwight  : 

LEVEL  OF  SANDY  RIVER. 
INTERVAL,  155  FEET. 

\.  Clay  and  Fossiliferous  Iron  in  kidneys 5    feet. 

INTERVAL,  8  to  10  FEET. 

2.  Shale    containing  lumps  of  -Blue  Carbonate  of    Iron,    con 

taining  34  per  cent,  of  metal 5    feet. 

INTERVAL,  104  FEET. 

3.  Carbonate  of  Iron 2    feet. 

INTERVAL  12  FEET. 

4.  Black  Manganiferous  Iron  Ore,  containing  25  per  cent,  of 

Binoxide  of  Manganese,  and  27  per  cent,  of  Iron 2£  feet. 

INTERVAL,  52  FEET? 

5.  Mixed  stratum  of  Limestone  and  Iron  Ore,  the  latter  con 

taining  42  per  cent  of  Iron 2£  feet. 

tt.  Clay  with  kidneys  of  Red  Haematite,  containing  55  per  cent, 
of    Iron  

INTERVAL,  37   FEET. 

7.  Carbonated  Iron  and  Limestone 2    feet. 

8.  Clay  and  kidneys  of  Iron  Ore 3    feet' 

INTERVAL,   14  FEET. 

9.  Limestone  Ore 1     foot, 


262  KESOUBCES  OF   WEST    VIRGINIA. 

INTERVAL,  138  FEET. 

10.  Clay  with  kidneys  of  Keel  Haematite,  containing  58  per  cent. 

of    Iron 3    feet. 

INTERVAL  60  FEET. 

Top  of  Hill 

Nos.  5  and  6  are  locally  known  as  the  u  Wilson  Seam,"  and 
an  analysis  of  the  mixture  of  the  ores  therefrom  shows  : 

Peroxide  of  Iron «» . 16.20 

Protoxide  of  Iron 25.70 

Protoxide  of  Manganese *..     20.85 

Caustic  Lime 30.22 

Silica 3.56 

Alumina 3.11 

Phosphoric  Acid 0.64 

Sulphur Trace. 

100.00 
In  December,  1875,  58  tons  of  this  ore  was  tried  at  the  Bel- 

mont  Furnace,  Wheeling,  and  so  much  liked  that  an  order 

for  1,000  tons  was  at  once  given  : 

Mr.   D wight's   analysis  of  the  Black    Manganiferous    Ore, 

from  No.  4,  shows  : 

Sesquioxide  of  Iron 27.400 

Binoxide  of    Manganese 26.802 

Carbonate  of  Lime 37.214 

Carbonate  of  Magnesia 1.908 

Silica 

Alumina 

Phosphoric  Acid- 

Sulphuric  Acid < 

Moisture 

Loss 

100.000 

Metallic  Iron  in  raw  ore 19.18   percent. 

"          "      "roasted  ore 27.87 

Phosphorus 0.679        " 

Sulphur 0.142 

It  will  be  noticed  that,  in  the  extensive  belt  from  the  Penn 
sylvania  line,  in  Monongalia  and  Preston  counties,  to  the  Ken 
tucky  line,  at  Cassville,  the  workable  beds  of  ore  that  have 
been  discovered,  are  confined  to  four  localities,  viz  :  1st.  Mo 
nongalia,  Preston,  Barbour,  and  Taylor  counties,  2d. 


RESOURCES   OF   WEST   VIRGINIA.  263 

ton  and  Clay  counties,  near  the  furnace  at  Strange  creek; 
3d,  Kanawha  county,  near  Elk  river,  and  4th,  Wayne  county, 
on  the  Big  Sandy.  Of  the  gaps  between  these,  we  know  noth 
ing,  but  it  is  fair  to  presume  that,  in  these  blank  spaces,  a 
careful  and  systematic  search  will  develop  beds  fully  as  good 
as  those  of  which  we  now  know. 

Jackson  County. — A  bed  of  Oxide  of  Iron,  6  miles  from  the 
mouth  of  Mill  creek,  has  lately  been  purchased  by  the  Bellaire 
Iron  Company,  in  the  State  of  Ohio,  just  below  Wheeling,  but 
we  have  no  data  showing  its  thickness. 

Raleigh  County. — A  bed  of  Brown  Haematite,  3  feet  thick, 
has  recently  been  discovered  3  miles  north  of  the  Court  House, 
on  the  land  of  Wm.  McCreery.  It  is  very  soft,  porous  and 
earthy,  as  taken  from  the  outcrop.  By  an  analysis,  it  gives: 

Peroxide  of  Iron 79.350 

Silica 3.599 

Alumina 1.593 

Phosphoric  Acid 1,880 

Sulphuric  Acid., 0.895 

Lime 0821 

Magnesia 0.034 

Water 11.232 

Organic  Matter  (rootlets)  and  Loss 0.589 

100.000 

^Tetallic  Iron 55.545  per  cent. 

Phosphorus 0.819 

Sulphur.... 0.358        " 

Red  Hasmatite. — In  several  places  mention  has  already  been 
made  of  this,  which  occurs  in  nodules  in  a  series  of  bands  of 
red  and  reddish-yellow  shales,  which  are  found  in  the  Lower 
Barren  Measures  along  the  general  line  that  has  been  indica 
ted  for  the  carbonates  of  iron.  These  nodules  often  contain 
from  50  to  60  per  cent  of  metal,  but  in  no  place  as  yet,  with, 
perhaps,  the  exception  of  Wayne  county,  have  these  been 
found  in  sufficient  quantity  in  the  shale  to  constitute  a 
workable  deposit.  If  they  should  be,  the  probability  is  that 
the  continuation  of  such  would  be  uncertain,  and  would 
not  justify  the  erection  of  any  works  looking  to  them  as  the 
main  source  of  supplies. 


264  RESOURCES   OF    WEST  VIRGINIA. 

IRON  ORES  EAST  OF  THE  COAL  MEASURES. 

We  now  come  to  the  consideration  of  what  may  be  called, 
par  excellence,  the  Iron  Region  of  West  Virginia,  as  the  ores 
are  far  richer  and  in  greater  abundance  than  those  of  the  coal 
measures.  It  is  to  be  regretted  that  the  present  knowledge 
concerning  them  is  so  scant  that  we  are  not  able  to  trace  the 
beds  from  point  to  point  along  the  whole  border  of  the  State, 
showing  where  any  individual  one  has  its  greatest  develop 
ment,  and  we  shall,  therefore,  have  to  be  satisfied  with  point 
ing  out  those  localities  in  the  various  counties  where  beds  or 
deposits  have  been  observed  and  their  value  examined  into. 

The  same  remarks  that  were  made  about  the  ores  in  the 
coal  measures  can  be  reiterated  for  this  district,  viz :  that  in 
many  localities  a  proper  exploration  will  develope  valuable 
deposits  of  which  we  have  now  no  information,  and  this  can 
be  said  with  all  the  more  positiveness  because  the  beds  are 
more  strong  and  continuous,  and  less  likely  to  die  out  in  this 
geological  horizon  than  they  were  in  that. 

Mercer  County. — "  The  northern  slope  of  the  East  River 
mountain  shows  considerable  deposits  of  iron  ore,  ledges  of 
variegated  marble,  very  pure  barytes  and  fine  mill-stone-grit 
extending  along  Peter's  mountain  into  Monroe  county.  Iron 
ore  does  not  exist  in  such  masses  as  in  Giles  county,*  but 
Bluestone  river,  above  the  mouth  of  Brushy  creek,  presents 
fine  bodies  of  ore,  *  *  chiefly  lying  upon  the  spurs  of  thp 
Black  Oak  mountains,  as  well  as  in  ridges  and  spurs  of  the 
Flat  Top  mountain,  upon  the  opposite  side  of  the  Bluestone 
river." 

(Report  of  C.  R.  Boyd  on  the  Minerals  of  New  River.     Exec. 
Doc.     Nov.  25.     3rd  Ses.  42d  Congress). 

Monroe  County. — "  Little  Mountain,  lying  next  to  Peter's 
mountain,  on  the  south  boundary,  possesses  a  very  fine  de 
posit  of  iron,  from  which  metal  of  good  quality  has  been 
manufactured."  (Boyd's  Report). 

On  Peter's  mountain,  on  the  road  from  Union  to  the  Salt 
Pond,  a  very  fine  outcrop  of  brown  haematite  has  been  observ 
ed,  and  along  the  eastern  border  of  the  county  it  is  probable 
that  other  deposits  will  be  found. 

*  Giles  is  the  adjoining  couuty  in  Virginia, 


RESOURCES   OF   WEST   VIRGINIA.  265 

Greenbrier  County. — On  Howard's  creek,  within  4  or  5  miles 
of  the  White  Sulphur  Springs,  iron  ore  of  fair  quality  and 
apparently  in  large  quantities  has  lately  been  discovered;  and 
on  Anthony's  creek  the  fossiliferous  and  block  ores  make  their 
appearance.  At  the  point  of  observation  the  fossil  ore  was  9 
inches  thick,  but  the  block  ore  has  been  opened  at  two  places, 
each  showing  7  feet.  It  inclines  at  a  good  angle  for  mining. 
A  bluff  ore.  also,  shows  itself  at  numerous  points  in  large 
masses.  (Report  of  T.  S  Ridgeway  on  the  Minerals  along  the 
C.  &  0.  R.  R).  Analyses  of  several  of  these  ores  by  J.  B.  Brit- 
ton,  show : 

Fossil  Ore 52.23  per  cent  Iron. 

Pipe      "  61.75     "      " 

Haematite  Ore 57.17     "      " 

Bluff  Ore 36.69     " 

Pocahontas  County. — Beyond  the  fact,  that  large  bodies  of 
iron  ore  are  usually  accredited  to  this  county,  nothing  posi 
tive  can  here  be  stated,  there  being  no  data  to  show  the  quality 
of  the  mineral  or  the  thickness  of  the  deposits.  We  may, 
however,  look  with  confidence  for  the  same  classes  as  are  found 
in  Greebrier,  for  the  strata  of  the  two  counties  are,  in  many 
places,  identical. 

Pendleton  County. — A.  R.  Guerard,  Associate  of  the  Royal 
School  of  Mines,  England,  and  one  of  the  assistants  of  the  State 
Board  of  Centennial  Managers,  made  a  reconnoi«ance  of  this 
and  the  counties  presently  to  be  mentioned,  in  February  1876. 

He  writes  :  u  So  far,  there  have  been  no  detailed  Geological 
examinations  of  the  great  iron  belt  between  the  Blue  Ridge 
and  Alleghany  mountains,  passing  through  this  State ;  and 
the  only  authentic  information  on  the  subject  at  all,  is  the 
now  scarce  report  of  W.  B.  Rogers,  made  in  1838,  as  State  Ge 
ologist  of  Virginia-  Nor  is  it  now  to  be  expected,  in  the  very 
short  time  allotted  to  me,  in  so  extensive  a  region,  that  I  should 
have  been  able  to  arrive  at  anything  like  adequate  details,  or 
indeed  to  make  more  than  a  confirmation  of  the  existence  of 
workable  deposits  of  iron  ore  in  this  section  of  the  State.  I 
submit  my  report  to  the  Board,  therefore,  with  this  reservation, 
prompted  by  the  hope  that  if  it  cannot  satisfy  all  demands 
it  may  at  least  call  attention  to  the  valuable  mineral  resour- 

34 


266  RESOURCES   OF    WEST   VIRGINIA. 

ces  of  this  region,  and  awaken  a  desire  for  further  investiga^ 
tion  and  development. 

u  The  principal  deposits  of  this  county  (Pendleton,)  are  in 
the  eastern  portion,  along  the  South  Fork  mountain,  a  few  in 
dications  only  of  no  special  importance  being  observed  on  the 
ranges  of  the  North  Fork.  The  ores  comprise  the  red,  brown 
and  red  fossiliferous  haematites  peculiar  to,  and  always  asso 
ciated  with,  this  Geological  formation,  and  traceable  over  a 
large  extent  of  surface  in  West  Virginia,  including  the  coun 
ties  of  Hampshire,  Hardy,  Grant  and  Pendleton. 

"The  red  fossiliferous  haematite,  the  most  uniform  and  im 
portant  of  this  group,  displays  itself  at  many  points  along  the 
sides  and  summit  of  the  South  Fork  range.  This  ore,  from  its 
occurrence  in  layers  arranged  parallel  with  each  other,  inter- 
stratified  with  friable  red  shales,  and  from  its  being  usually 
filled  with  impressions  of  hollow  castings  of  shells,  admits  of 
being  readily  identified  and  is  traceable  in  a  series  of  seams, 
though  seldom  very  thick,  in  considerable  numbers,  and  for  a 
great  distance;  it  presents  everywhere  the  same  natural  advan 
tages,  indicating  the  abundance  in  which  it  might  be  procured, 
as  well  as  the  facility  with  which  it  might  be  mined.  Of  its 
extraordinary  value  to  any  region,  the  experience  in  Pennsyl 
vania  furnishes  the  most  conclusive  evidence,  where,  since  the 
discovery  of  its  admirable  adaption  for  the  furnace,  it  has  been 
keenly  sought  after,  and  seams,  which  from  their  thinness, 
would,  if  composed  of  any  other  material,  have  remained  unno 
ticed,  have  not  only  been  diligently  but  profitably  worked. 
This  formation,  which  further  north  and  south  is  not  so  well 
developed,  expands  in  passing  through  this  State,  and  here 
attains  a  thickness  not  found  elsewhere. 

"  Associated  with  these  strata,  at  the  junction  of  this  with 
the  overlying  formation,  are  found  valuable  deposits  of  red  and 
brown  haematites,  derived  probably  from  the  former.  These 
appear  in  out  crops  and  scattered  boulders  along  the  entire 
length  of  this  mountain." 


RESOURCES   OP    WEST   VIRGINIA. 


267 


The  following  analyses  were  made  of  the  samples  of  the  ores 
of  this  county,  exhibited  at  the  International  Exhibition 
of  1876: 


No.    1. 

63.470 
3150 
18.000 
5.707 
.146 
.713 
.300 
1  575 
6.197 
.432 
310 

No.    2. 

No.    3. 

No.    5. 

No.    6. 

Sesquioxide   of     Iron  
BinoKide  of  \Ian  <ranese 

80.336 

80.838 
trace 
17.544 
1.266 
trace 
trace 
.026 
.423 

X  1.02 

50.010 

70.201 
trace 
17,361 
3,503 
.456 
1.489 
2.400 
1.345 

X  2,754 

55.706 

Silica 

5.722 
7.291 
1517 
.482 
1.331 
1.070 

X  1.864 

37.151 
8.390 
.756 
.432 
.080 
.925 

X  1.877 
,379 

18.110 
13.463 
1.321 
.120 
.090 
2.147 
7.799 
.732 
.512 

\liin~iina 

Lime 

Ala^nOSia 

Phosphoric  Acid 

Sulphuric    \cid 

Coin  biiied  Water  
Hygroscopic  Water     

Loss  

Iron 

100-000 

100,000 

56.232 
.580 
.428 

100.199 

100.000 

100.000 

100.000 

44.42 
.131 
.730 

56.586 
.012 
.169 

35.010 
.035 
.370 

49.137 
1,046 

.538 

38.994 
.039 
.858 

Phosphorus 

Sulphur  

No.  1,  is  a  Brown  Haematite,  from  the  neighborhood  of 
Franklin. 

No.  2,  is  a  Red  Fossiliferous  Haematite,  from  Dickenson's 
land,  on  South  Fork  mountain. 

No.  3,  is  a  Red  Haematite,  from  the  vicinity  of  Upper  Tract. 

No.  4,  is  a  Red  and  Brown  Haematite  (mined),  from  George 
Miller's,  South  Fork  mountain. 

No.  5,  is  a  Red  Haematite  (part  of  No.  4). 

No.  6,  is  a  Brown  Haematite,  from  Col.  Johnson's  place  near 
Franklin. 

Hardy  County.  —  Mr.  Guerard  in  his  report  on  these  counties 
goes  on  to  say  :  "Large  and  important  bodies  of  iron  ore,  iden 
tical  with  those  already  mentioned,  are  conspicuously  devel 
oped  in  this  county  on  the  ranges  of  the  Middle  and  North 
mountains. 

"On  the  west  side  of  Elk  Horn  Knob,  13  miles  south  from 
Moorefield,  three  separate  seams  of  the  Red  Fossiliferous  Hae 
matite  crop  out  with  the  usual  favorable  characteristics  of 
this  valuable  formation.  They  measure  respectively  : 


(1)  0  feet,  8  inches 

,  (2)  1      "    6        " 
(3)  3      "    3        " 


Y  Ketterman's  Farm." 


268  RESOURCES   OF   WEST   VIRGINIA. 

"  The  upper  ores  of  this  group  are  remarkably  well  shown  on 
the  same  range : 

(1)  Red  Haematite,  25  feet  (16  feet  solid  ore) — Pine  moun 
tain,  1J  miles  from  Ketterman's. 

(2)  Brown  Haematite,  30  feet  (from  outcrop) — Salt  Spring 
Run  Knob,  5  miles  from  Ketterman's. 

(3)  Brown  Haematite  (very  pure),  14  feet — Cunningham's 
Tract,  3  miles  from  this  and  9  from  Moorefield. 

"  The  Brown  Haematites  occur  largely  again  on  the  spurs 
and  ridges  of  the  North  or  Capon  mountain.  These  have  long 
been  mined  and  smslted  by  various  iron  works  in  this  portion 
of  the  county.  The  only  furnace  now  in  existence,  is  that 
known  as  the  Capon  Iron  works,  six  miles  from  Wardensville, 
on  the  east  side  of  the  mountain. 

"  The  ore  bank  shows  in  an  open  drift  of  a  100  yards,  a  remark 
able  deposit  of  ore.  Having  sunk  70  feet  on  the  vein,  which 
is  inclined  at  an  angle  of  40°,  it  still  appeared  to  be  continu 
ous.  The  deposit  lies  between  sandstone  and  limestone,  of 
which  there  is  a  large  supply,  and  the  outcrop  can  be  traced 
some  distance  along  the  mountain.  Three  smaller  veins  of 
the  same  ore  crop  out  above  this  larger  one,  and  some  hundred 
yards  below,  a  vein  of  Brown  Fossiliferous  Haematite,  the 
counterpart  of  which  has  been  worked  at  Bloomery,  in  Hamp 
shire,  has  lately  been  discovered.  It  is  2  feet  thick  near  the 
outcrop,  but  has  never  yet  been  worked. 

"  The  following  data  show  the  general  charge  and  working 
of  the  Capon  furnace  : 

f  800  to  1,000  pounds,  limestone ^) 

I'  140  to  160  bushels,  Charcoal VTo  1  ton  pig. 

nf   nn    «         2  *°        %  tOUS,  charred    OFC J 

1    25  to    30  tons  pig  a  week. 
$15  cost  per  ton  at  the  works. 
Shipping    point    Winchester,   dis 
tant  20  miles. 

"  The  ores  worked  are  said  to  produce  an  excellent  quality  of 
iron,  especially  adapted  to  the  manufacture  of  car  wheels  and 
boiler  plate. 

u  Of  the  furnaces  formerly  worked,  but  now  abandoned,  there 
were  three  in  this  county :  One  on  Orr's  mountain,  west  of 
Moorefield,  and  two  on  the  east  side  of  the  mountain.  la  the 
neighborhood  of  Wardensville,  Messrs.  Saliard  and  Bryan  car- 


RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA. 


269 


ried  on  a  furnace  many  years  ago,  and  8  miles  from  Capon 
Iron  Works,  on  the  same  range,  was  the  Crack  Whip  Furnace, 
owned  by  Charles  Carter  Lee.  A  large  deposit  of  ore  was  devel 
oped  in  this  locality,  as  shown  by  the  old  workings  still  expos 
ing  several  feet  of  solid  ore. 

The  following  are  analyses  made  of  the  oros  from  this  county : 


Xo.    1. 

Xo.    2. 

Xo.    3 

Xo.    4. 

Scsouioxidf   of    Iron               

8480 

72990 

83.47 

64.287 

Protoxide1   of  Iron                       

4.64 

Binoxidc  of  M!aii£?ancse       

trace 

7.680 

Silica.                                       

5.90 

23.500 

9.40 

11.771 

Alumina                                         

1.81 

3.184 

2.657 

1.141 

Phosphoric  Acid      .        

1  60 

.122 

.373 

1.110 

Sulphuric   A-cid          

.10 

.870 

.120 

1.180 

\Vater                                     

) 

) 

) 

6.695 

Loss                           .              .      

V  4.60 

v  2.518 

[-   .187 

295 

100.000 
59.36 

100.00 
51  09 

100.000 
62.01 

100.000 
45.00 

Phosphorus 

.698 

053 

163 

.483 

Sulphur 

040 

.035 

048 

.472 

No.  1,  is  a  Red  Fossiliferous  Haematite,  from  the  3-feet  3-inch 
seam  on  Ketterman's  farm. 

No,  2  is  a  Red  Haematite,  from  the  25-feet  vein  on  'Pine 
mountain. 

No.  3,  is  a  Brown  Haematite,  from  the  14-feet  vein  on  Cun 
ningham's  tract. 

No.  4,  is  a  Brown  Haematite,  from  Capon  Iron  Works. 

Grant  County — Mr.  Guerard  reports  from  this  county:  "The 
associated  Haematites  are  exhibited  in  a  still  more  remarkable 
manner  in  Grant  than  in  Hardy  and  Pendleton.  The  beauti 
ful  symmetry  of  arrangement,  too,  of  the  mountain  strata  here 
particularly  well-defined,  as  well  as  the  striking  development 
of  iron  ore  in  close  proximity  to  the  coal  basin  of  the  Alle- 
ghany,  render  this  county  more  than  usually  interesting, 
both  in  a  geological  and  economical  point  of  view. 

In  the  vicinity  of  Greenland  Gap,  the  Red  fossiliferous 
Haematite  shows  itself  in  5  parallel  layers,  on  the  east  side 
of  Walker's  bridge,  dipping  N.  W.,  and  on  the  west  side 
of  Little  or  Knobly  mountain,  dipping  S.  E.,  indicating  the 


270  RESOURCES   OF    WEST   VIRGINIA. 

wreck  of  a  denuded  anticlinal  arch  over  the  New  Creek  moun 
tain.  These  seams,  workable  in  Pennsylvania  when  only  a 
few  inches  thick,  here  assume  the  following  large  dimensions: 

(a) 8  feel  | 

}•  Walker's  Ridge  (measured  from  outcrops). 

J 
Little  Mountain   (measured  from  section). 


(b) 18 

(c) 13 

(d) 11 


Total .  57  feet. 

On  either  side,  and  overlying  these  strata,  massive  beds  of 
limestone  (partly  hydraulic)  and  sandstone  are  exposed. 
Above  the  latter,  the  Brown  Haematites  crop  out  along  the 
summits  of  Walker's  ridge  and  Knobly  mountain.  From 
these  ores,  the  Fanny  furnace^ 4  miles  from  the  village  of 
Greenland,  on  Hasard's  creek,  was  formerly  worked,  being  long 
famous  for  its  iron. 

These  ores  are  only  6  miles  from  the  coal  of  the  Alleghany, 
and  20  miles  from  Keyser,  on  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  rail 
road. 

The  following  table  shows  analyses  of  the  ores  of  this 
county  : 


• 

No.     1. 

No.    2. 

Se^uuioxide   of    Iron 

75  033 

68  750 

025 

Silica                                                    

14  354 

1  5  555 

7  445 

13  733 

230 

Lime... 

.521 

Phosphoric  Acid j     2.020      1.842 

Sulphuric  Acid !       .240i     0.120 

Loss,  etc !       .132  


100.000100.000 


52  52 

48  13 

Phosphorus                        .   . 

880 

.803 

Sulphur  

096 

.048- 

No.  1,  is  a  Fossiliferous  Red  Haematite,  from  the  7-feet  seam 
near  Greenland  Gap,  Little  Mountain. 

No.  2,  is  a  similar  variety,  from  the  13-feet  seam  on  Walk 
er's  ridge,  in  the  same  neighborhood.  The  13.733  per  cent, 
ascribed  to  alumina,  includes,  according  to  Mr.  Dwight's  report, 
also  the  moisture  and  loss. 


RESOURCES  OF  WEST  VIRGINIA.  271 

Hampshire  County : — Mr.  Guerard  goes'pn  to  report — "The  Iron  ^ 
ores  of  this  county  are  more  scattered  and  not  so  conspicuously  1 
developed  as  those  of  the  counties  previously  mentioned;  but  \ 
my  observations  led  me  to  estimate  the  deposits  of  this  county, 
(though  small  when  compared  with  those  of  Grant,    Hardy, 
&c)  as  still  of  economical  importance. 

At  various  points  along  the  slopes  and  ridges  of  the  Patter 
son's  Creek,  Short  and  Capon  mountains  boulders  may  be 
observed  lying  thick  over  the  surface,  and  here  and  there 
occasional  outcrops  of  true  beds  of  ore. 

The  only  deposits  at  present  worked  are  those  occurring  at 
Bloomery,  on  the  east  side  of  Capon  mountain,  in  the  north 
eastern  portion  of  the  county.  Here  a  fossiliferous  variety  of 
brown  haematite  occurs  in  a  rein,  varying  from  18  inches  to 
4  feet.  This  and  a  vein  of  the  ordinary  Brown  Iron  ore  (thick 
ness  not  known)  has  been  mined  and  smelted  here  for  many 
years.  The  furnace  has  been  out  of  blast  for  the  last  few 
months,  but  will  probably  soon  be  in  operation  again.  Lime 
stone,  charcoal  and  fine  water  power  are  easily  obtained  any 
where  along  this  valley,  The  following  are  the  general  pro 
portions  of  the  charge  and  the  production  of  the  furnace,  as 
given  me  by  Mr.  Withers,  the  present  Manager  and  part 
owner. 

f  800  Ibs.  limestone/         ) 

Cold  blast 4  120  bushels,  charcoal.      [To  ]  ton  Pig 

(  2  J  to  2|  tons  of  raw  ore  j 
Cost  $2-0  00  per  ton,  Pig  delivered  at  Paw-paw  station,  distant  14  miles. 


272 


RESOURCES   OF   WEST   VIRGINIA. 


The  following  table  gives  the  analyses  of  the  ores  from  this 
county 

Sesquioxide    of    Iron.. ; 73531  75.250 

Binoxide  of  Manganese.. * 4.380  trace 

Silica 13.329  12.035 

Alumina 3.025  2.199 

Lime 024  1.254 

Magnesia .251  .631 

Phosphoric  Acid 241  ,089 

Sulphuric  Acid 1.204  2,058 

Combined  Water 3.082  .750 

Hygroscopic  Water 032  .631 

Loss 301  ,524 

100.000  100,000 

Iron , 51.471  52.675 

Phosphorus 105  .038 

Sulphur .481  .823 


No.  1,  is  a  Brown  Haematite  from  Short  mountain,  15  miles 
from  Romney. 

No.  2,  is  a  Brown  Hematite,  from  the  same  locality. 

Morgan  County. — Mr.  Guerard  continuing  his  reconnoissance 
into  the  Valley  of  Virginia,  reports  on  this  county  : 

"  There  are  no  iron  ores  of  any  importance  in  this  county. 
On  the  slopes  of  Sandy  ridge,  near  Sir  John's  Run  Station, 
are  two  veins  of  ore  of  a  siliceous  character,  one  measuring  6 
and  the  other  2  feet,  but  not  workable,  except  under  peculiar 
circumstances. 

"  At  various  points  along  the  summit  of  Sleepy  Creek  moun-" 
tain  boulders  of  ore  may  be  observed,  but  indicating  no  work 
able  deposits. 

"  It  may  be  mentioned,  more  as  a  mirieralogical  curiosity 
than  as  of  economical  importance,  that  specimens  of  micace 
ous  red  haematite  may  be  picked  up  frequently  in  both  this 
and  Berkeley  county,  at  the  base  of  the  mountain." 

Berkeley  County: — Mr.  Guerard  reports,  "two  deposits  of  iron 
ore  have  been  developed  in  this  county,  one  owned  by  Charles 
J.  Faulkner,  about  a  mile  south  of  the  town  of  Marti nsburg, 
and  the  other  by  Adam  Small,  five  miles  in  the  opposite  direc 
tion.  The-se  form  a  part  of  a  series  of  irregular  deposits  im- 


RESOURCES  OF  WEST  VIRGINIA.  273 

bedded  in  arenaceous  limestone  extending  through  this  valley 
along  the  western  base  of  the  Blue  Ridge.  The  ores  consist  of 
the  cellular,  honey-combed  and  pipe,  or  stalactitic  varieties  of 
brown  haematite,  in  many  cases  proving  valuable,  and  said 
to  produce  a  very  good  iron.  Both  of  the  deposits  above- 
mentioned  have  been  worked  and  the  ore  shipped  to  Penn 
sylvania." 

Jefferson  County. — Mr.  Guerard's  report  on  this  county  con 
tains  the  following  :  "  The  ores  of  this  county  are  analogous 
to  those  occurring  in  Berkeley,  and  belong  to  the  same  forma 
tion.  Deposits  have  been  worked  on  the  Virginia  side  of  the 
Potomac  river,  below  the  mouth  of  Antietam  creek,  to  supply 
the  Antietarn  Iron  Works,  opposite,  and  also  near  Bolivar 
Heights  at  Harper's  Ferry,  furnishing  the  old  Keeptryst  fur 
nace  with  its  stock  when  it  was  in  blast,  many  years  ago.  But 
the  most  recent  working  is  on  the  west  side  of  the  Shenan- 
doah  river,  6  miles  from  Charlestown,  at  what  is  known  as 
Maltby's  ore  bank.  Here  is  a  large  body  of  fine  ore,  giving  every 
indication  of  a  continued  heavy  yield.  This  bank  has  lately 
been  abandoned  in  consequence  of  the  furnace,  which  it  fur 
nished  with  ore  in  Maryland,  having  stopped. 


CHAPTER   XII. 

SALT    A]\TD  PETROLEUM. 
SALT. 

BY  DR.  J.  P.  HALE,  OF  CHARLESTON. 

CHARLESTON,  W.  VA.,  APRIL  5TH,  1876. 

Prof.  M.  f.  Maury: 

DEAR  SIR  :  In  compliance  with  your  request,  I  send  you> 
herewith,  some  facts  in  regard  to  the  early  history,  subsequent 
developments,  and  present  condition  of  the  salt  manufacture 
and  salt  interest  of  Kanawha  and  Mason  counties,  and  of  West 
Va.,  generally 

Hoping  that  the  paper  may,  in  some  degree,  furnish  the  in 
formation  you  desire,  I  am 

Very  Respectfully, 

Yours  Truly, 

J.  P.  HALB. 

Rich  as  is  West  Virginia  in  coal,  iron,  timber,  &c.,  she  is 
scarcely  less  rich  in  that  indispensable  necessity  to  human 
health  and  comfort,  and  to  animal  life — common  salt.  Fossil  or 
rock  salt  bas  not  been  found  in  the  State;  but  salt  brines  of 
greater  or  less  strength,  and  in  greater  or  less  abundance  are 
found  by  Artesian  borings,  at  greater  or  less  depth  throughout 
the  Appalachian  coal  field,  which  underlies  the  greater  portion 
of  our  state. 

The  strength  of  these  brines  varies  in  different  localities, 
and  in  different  wells  in  the  same  locality  ;  the  range  may  be 


RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA.  2*75 

stated  at  say  6°  to  12°  by  the  salometer,  Baume  scale  (distilled 
water  being  0  °,  saturation  25°),  biit  the  average  strength  of 
the  brines  from  which  salt  is  now  made  is  about  8°  to  10°. 
The  value  of  thess  brines  depends,  of  course,  upon  their  location, 
as  regards  accessibility,  and  cheap  transportation  of  the  prod 
ucts  to  market,  as  well  as  the  convenient  proximity  of  cheap 
coal  for  fuel,  and  timber  for  barrels.  Only  locations  on  the 
navigable  rivers,  or  lines  of  railways  at  present  fulfill  these 
indications;  but,  as  population  increases,  aud  new  routes  of 
travel  and  traffic  are  opened  up,  it  is  probable  that  new  salt 
manufacturing  localities  will  be  developed. 

The  principal  points  at  which  salt  has  been  manufactured 
in  the  state,  are  Charleston  on  the  Great  Kanawha  river;  from 
West  Columbia  to  Hartford  City  on  the  Ohio  river;  at  Bull-town 
on  the  little  Kanawha;  at  Louisa  on  the  Big-Sandy;  in  Mercer 
county  on  New  river  ;  near  Birch  of  Elk  river;  (at  the  mouth 
of  Otter  creek  on  Elk.  Authors.)  and  at  a  few  other  less  im 
portant  points,  on  a  very  small  scale  for  local  use.  At  present, 
owing  to  the  greater  facility  of  reaching  the  markets  of  the 
great  west  by  cheap  water  transportation,  and  the  advantages 
of  cheap  fuel,  salt  is  only  manufactured,  on  a  commercial 
scale  near  Charleston  on  the  Great  Kanawha,  and  in  Mason 
county  on  the  Ohio.  It  is  of  these  localities  that  I  propose 
to  .give  some  account ;  and  of  the  latter  first,  reserving  for 
the  Kanawha  works,  the  oldest  in  the  State,  a  fuller  account 
and  description,  much  of  which  will  apply  to  the  Mason  coun, 
ty  and  other  works  as  well. 

The  Mason  county  Salt  works,  now  the  most  extensive  in 
present  productive  capacity  in  the  State  are  of  conparatively 
recent  development. 

In  1849  Messrs.  Williams  &  Stevens,  aided  by  Capt.  Tom  •/ 
Friend — all  Kanawha  Salt  makers — bored  for  salt  water  at 
West  Columbia,  in  Mason  county  on  the  Ohio  river;  they  suc 
ceeded  at  about  700  feet  in  getting  a  fine  well  of  water  of  good 
strength,  and  at  once  proceeded  to  erect  the  first  Salt  furnace 
on  the  Ohio  river ;  they  also  bored  several  other  wells  in  the  vi 
cinity,  none  of  which,  however,  proved  so  good  as  the  first 
They,  shortly  after,  sold  tho  property  to  New  York  parties  who 
remodeled  and  rebuilt  the  furnace  on  a  much  larger  scale,  giv 
ing  it  a  productive  capacity  of  some  1200  bushels,  or  more  per 


276  RESOURCES   OF   WEST   VIRGINIA. 

day.  The  success  of  this  enterprise  gave  a  great  impetus  to 
to  salt  boring,  and  coal  mining  throughout  the  available  coal 
frontage  of  this  region.  This  developed  coal  frontage  along  the 
river  extends  from  West  Columbia  to  Hartford  City,  about  7 
miles.  Up  the  river  the  coal  dips,  until  it  passes  under  water 
level  at,  or  just  above  Hartford  City 

The  second  salt  furnace  was  erected  at  this  upper  limit  of 
the  coal  frontage  in  1854  by  a  Hartford  City,  (Conn.^company, 
/  then  under  the  management  of  W.  0.  Healy,  Esq  ;  since,  and 
now  under  the  management  of  G.  W.  Moredock,  Esq. — who  has 
three  large  furnaces,  with  abundance  of  good  brine,  and  cheap 
and  convenient  coal.  These  two  operations,  one  at  the  extreme 
lower,  and  the  other  at  the  extreme  upper  limit  of  the  coal  fron 
tage,  demonstrated  pretty  clearly  the  existence  of  good  brines 
throughout  that  extent,  and  at  once  gave  a  value  to  furnace  sites 
and  coal  lands  which  the  owners  had  not  hitherto  suspected 
them  to  possess. 

/  In  1855  Mr.  R.  C.  M.  Lovell,  another  Kanawha  salt  manu 
facturer,  bored  wells  and  erected  a  large  furnace  about  half 
way  between  the  two  points  above  named,  and  laid  out  a  town 
which  he  called  "  Mason  City/' 

This  valuable  salt  and  coal  property  was  afterwards  pur 
chased  by  L.  H.  Sargent  of  Cincinnati,  O.,  and  more  recently 
has  passed  into  the  hands  of  Messrs.  Roots  &  Kilbreth  of  the 
same  city. 

Following  these  three  furnaces,  and  within  the  next  few 
years,  were  built  the  New  Castle,  Burnup,  Clifton,  Bedford, 
Hope,  German,  Jackson,  Valley  City,  Starr,  and  New  Haven 
City,  in  all  13  in  number. 

These  13  furnaces  have  a  present  productive  capacity  of 
over  3,000,000  bushels  per  year. 

The  usual  depth  to  which  the  wells  in  this  neigborhood  are 
bored,  is  about  1,100  to  1,200  feet :  the  strength  of  brines  8°  to 
10°  :  the  quantity,  15  to  50  gals,  per  minute  per  well.  The 
wells  are  tubed  with  iron  tubing,  usually  about  4  inches  in 
ternal  diameter,  and  bagged  at  600  to  800  feet  depth,  at  which 
depth  the  pumps  were  worked,  run  by  steam  power. 

The  coal  used  here  in  the  manufacture  of  salt,  and  also  ship 
ped  to  a  considerable  extent  to  the  lower  markets,  is,  geologi 
cally,  the  same  as  the  well  known  Pittsburgh  seam,  so  exten- 


RESOURCES  OF   WEST    VIRGINIA. 


277 


sively  mined  and  shipped  near  the  city  of  that  name.  It  is 
here  a  fine  seam  of  coal,  4-J  to  5  feet  thick,  easily  mined,  acces 
sible  and  cheap. 

From  the  natural  advantages  of  this  locality,  salt  is  pro 
duced  here  very  cheaply,  and  cheaply  freighted  to  the  markets 
of  the  west,  where  it  is  in  ready  demand  and  its  reputation  de 
servedly  excellent. 

From  the  bitterns  or  waste  liquors  from  the  salt  furnaces 
here,  a  considerable  quantity  of  bromine  is  manufactured,  the 
uses  and  demand  for  which  are  steadily  increasing. 

Chloride  of  calcium  is  also  manufactured  to  some  extent 
from  these  waste,  bitter  waters. 

The  following  table,  kindly  furnished  by  G.  W.  Moredock, 
Esq.,  of  Hartford  City,  the  largest  manufacturer  in  Mason 
county,  gives  a  very  clear  understanding  of  the  present  status 
of  the  salt  manufacture  in  that  county. 

SALT  WORKS,  MASON  COUNTY,  W.  VA. 


NAME  OF  FURNACE. 


OWNERS'  NAMES. 


Bush,  i    Feet. 


New  Haven i  300,000j 

Hartford  City :  300,000 

Star ". 325,000! 

Vallev  City 350,000!  1,125-35 

Jackson j  200,0001,120-30 

German i  250,000 

Hope i  350,000 

Mason  City 325,000 

Bedford 300,000 

Clifton 300,000| 

Burnup  or  Quaker  City 150,000 

Newcastle 250,000  1,155 

West,  Columbia ;  300,000  1,125-40 


1,200      if  Hartford  City  Coal  and 

1,150-00         Salt  Co.,  1,100  acres  01 

coal  land, 


1,150 


Actual  capacity !3,700,000 

Actually  made"  in  1875... |2,500,000 


Valley  City  Coal  and  Salt  C. 
V.  B.  Horton,  jr. 

!  German.  Salt  Co 
jHope  Salt  Co. 
(Mason.  City  Salt  Co. 
Bedford  Salt  Co. 
Not  running. 


"  It  takes  one  bushel  of  coal  to  make  a  bushel  of  salt. 
Strength  of  brine  from  wells  at  Hartford  City,  9°  to  10° 
measured  by  Baurne's  salometer ;  saturated  brine  25°,  making 
the  brine  stand  40  per  cent  salt.''  (G.  W.  Moredock). 


278  RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA. 

The  Kanawha  salt  works  are  situated  in  Kanawha  county, 
on  the  Kanawha  river,  commencing  about  three  miles  above 
Charleston  and  extending  up  the  river  for  several  miles,  on 
both  side1*. 

These  "Licks,"  as  they  are  called,  have  not  only  been  known 
and  extensively  worked,  from  the  first  settlement  of  the  valley 
by  the  whites,  but  have  been  known  and  used,  from  time  im 
memorial,  by  the  Indian  tribes,  and  frequented  by  swarms  of 
buffalo,  elk,  deer,  and  other  wild  animals,  before,  the  advent  of 
the  white  man. 

In  1753,  when  all  this  region  was  an  unbroken  wilderness, 
which  had  never  bean  penetrated  by  the  most  adventurous 
white  man,  a  party  of  Shawnees  who  dwelt  upon  the  Scioto, 
in  what  is  now  Ohio,  made  a  raid  upon  the  frontier  settle 
ments  of  Virginia,  in  what  is  now  Montgomery  county.  Hav 
ing  taken  the  settlers  unawares,  and  after  killing,  burning, 
.and  capturing  prisoners,  as  was  their  custom,  they  retreated, 
with  their  captives,  down  New  river,  Kanawha,  and  Ohio,  to 
their  homes.  One  of  these  captives.  Mrs.  Mary  Ingles,*  who 
afterwards  made  her  escape,  and  was  returned  to  her  friends, 
related  that  the  party  stopped  several  days  at  a  salt  spring  on 
the  Kanawha  river,  rested  from  their  weary  march,  killed 
plenty  of  game  and  feasted  themselves  on  the  fat  of  the  land; 
in  the  meantime,  boiling  salt  water  and  making  a  supply  of 
salt,  which  was  carefully  packed  and  taken  with  them  to 
their  western  homes.  This  is  not  only  the  first  account  we 
have  of  salt-making  on  Kanawha,  hut  anywhere  else  west  of 
the  Alleghanies.  In  fact,  if  there  is  any  earlier  record  of  salt- 
making  from  brine  springs,  anywhere  in  the  United  States,  I 
am  not  aware  of  it. 

The  earliest  settlement  made  by  whites,  in  the  Kanawha 
Valley,  was  by  Walter  Kelley  and  family,  at  the  mouth  of  the 
creek,  which  bears  his  name,  in  the  spring  of  1774,  several 
months  before  the  battle  of  Poiat  Pleasant,  where  the  combined 
Indian  tribes,  under  the  celebrated  Sachem,  Cornstalk,  were 
defeated  and  driven  back  by  the  Virginians,  under  Gen.  Lewis. 

Kelly  and  his  family  paid  the  forfeit  of  their  lives  to  their 
temerity;  they  were  all  killed  by  the  Indians  ;  but  after  the 
battle  of  the  Point,  when  there  was  greater  security  for  life, 

*The'great  grand-mother  of  the  writer. 


RESOURCES   OF    WEST  VIRGINIA.  279 

the  valley  was  rapidly  settled,  mostly  by  Virginians,  and  in 
great  part  by  the  hardy  soldiers  who  had  followed  Lewis  to 
Point  Pleasant. 

The  early  pioneer  settlers,  in  a  wilderness,  without  commu 
nication  with  other  settlements,  except  by  foot  or  bridle  paths, 
depended  upon  the  Kanawha  Licks  for  their  scanty  supply  of 
salt.  In  those  days  of  simple  economy  and  provident  thrift, 
when  ererything  useful  was  made  the  most  of,  the  women's 
wa?h-kettles  were  put  under  requisition  for  a  fourfold  duty ; 
they  boiled  the  daily  hog  and  hominy,  and  other  wholesome, 
frugal  fare;  once  a  week  they  boiled  the  clothes,  on  washday; 
semi-occasionally  they  boiled  the  salt  water  for  a  little  of  the 
precious  salt,  and  every  spring  they  went  to  the  sugar  camp, 
to  boil  the  annual  supply  of  maple  sugar  and  molasses. 

It  is  related  that  atone  time,  when  there  was  an  apprehended 
attack  from  the  Indians,  the  few  early  settlers  were  posted  at 
the  mouth  of  Coal  river,  for  protection.  Being  out  of  salt  and 
suffering  for  the  want  of  it,  they  sent  some  of  their  hardy  and 
daring  }7oung  men  in  canoes  up  to  the  salt  spring,  where  they 
dipped  the  canoes  full  of  salt  water;  and,  getting  safely  back, 
the  water  was  boiled,  and  the  precious  salt  made  under  cover 
of  the  fort. 

Among  the  earliest  land  locations  made  in  the  valley,  was 
one  of  502  acres,  made  in  1785,  by  John  Dickinson,  from  thev/ 
Valley  of  Virginia,  to  include  the  mouth  of  Campbell's  creek, 
the  bottom  above,  and  the  salt  spring.  Dickinson  did  not  im 
prove  or  work  the  property  himself,  but  meeting  with  Joseph  \f 
Rufmer,  an  enterprising  farmer  from  the  Shenandoah  Valley, 
Virginia,  in  1794,  and  describing  this  salt  spring  to  him,  Ruif- 
ner  became  so  impressed  with  its  value,  that  he  then  and  there 
purchased  the  502  acres  upon  Dickinson's  own  report,  with 
out  himself  seeing  it,  agreeing  to  pay  for  it  500  pounds  sterl 
ing  without  condition,  and  other  sums  conditioned  upon  the 
quantity  of  salt  to  ba  made  which  might  increase  the  price  to 
10,000  pounds  sterling.  Having  gone  thus  far,  he  sold  out  his 
Shenandoah  estates,  and  in  1795  removed  himself  and  family 
to  Kanawha  to  look  after  his  salt  property.  Upon  arriving 
here,  however,  his  penchant  for  rich  farming  lands  overcame 
him,  and  he  purchased,  from  George  and  William  Clendenen, 
the  large  river  bottom  of  900  acres  extending  from  the  niouth 


280  RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA. 

of  Elk  river  up  Kanawha;  and,  upon  40  acres  of  which  the 
village  of  Charleston  had  been  laid  out  and  started  the  previous 
year.  This  last  purchase,  and  the  subsequent  attention  to 
clearing  and  improving  the  farm  diverted  Ruffner's  attention 
for  a  time,  from  the  salt  project ;  the  delay  was  fatal  so  far  as 
he  was  concerned ;  he  did  not  live  to  execute  his  pet  scheme 
or  realize  his  cherished  hopes.  Dying  in  1803,  he  willed  the 
^property  to  his  sons,  David  and  Joseph,  enjoining  it  upon  them 
to  carry  out,  as  speedily  as  practicable,  his  plans  of  building 
up  extensive  salt  manufactories  to  supply  not  only  the  increas 
ing  local  demand,  but  a  larger  and  still  mora  rapidly  growing 
demand  which  was  now  coming  from  the  many  thrifty  settle 
ments  throughout  the  Ohio  Valley.  During  the  elder  Ruff 
ner's  life,  however,  he  had  leased  to  oniXElisha  Brooks,  the  use 
of  salt  water  and  the  right  to  manufacture  salt;  and  in  1797 
this  Elisha  Brooks  erected  the  first  salt  furnace  in  Kanawha, 
or  in  the  western  country.  It  consisted  of  two  dozen  small 
kettles,  set  in  a  double  row,  with  a  flue  beneath,  a  chimney  at 
one  end,  and  a  fire  bed  at  the  other. 

To  obtain  a  supply  of  salt  water  he  sank  two  or  three  "gums," 
some  8  or  10  fest  each  in  length,  into  the  mire  and  quicksand 
of  the  salt  lick,  and  dipped  the  brine  with  a  bucket  and  swape, 
as  it  oozed  and  seeped  in  through  the  sands  below. 
/  In  this  crude,  rough-and-ready  way,  Brooks  managed  to 
make  about  150  pounds  of  salt  per  day,  which  he  sold  at  the 
kettles,  at  8  to  10  cents  per  pound.  No  means  were  used  to 
settle  or  purify  the  brines  01-  salt,  as  the  salt  water  came  from 
the  gum,  so  it  was  boiled  down  to  salt  in  the  kettles,  with' 
whatever  impurities  or  coloring  matter  it  contained.  As  it 
issues  from  the  earth  it  holds  some  carbonate  of  iron  in  solu 
tion;  when  it  is  boiled,  this  iron  becomes  oxidized,  and  gives  a 
reddish  tinge  to  the  brine  and  salt. 

This  Kanawha  salt  soon  acquired  a  reputation  for  its  strong, 
pungent  taste,  and  its  superior  qualities  for  curing'meat,  but 
ter,  etc.  A  great  many  who  used  it  and  recognized  these  qual 
ities  in  connection  with  its  striking  reddish  color  came  to 
associate  the  two  in  their  minds  in  the  relation  of  cause  and 
effect,  and  orders  used  to  come  from  far  and  near  for  some  of 
"  that  strong  red  salt  from  the  Kanawha  "Licks." 

Almost  the  only  mode  of  transporting  salt  beyond  the  neigh 


RESOURCES   OF   WEST   VIRGINIA.  281 

borhood,  in  those  early  days,  was  by  pack-horses,  on  the  prim 
itive,  backwoods  pack-saddle.  So-much  of  this  was  done,  and 
so  familiar  did  the  public  mind  become  with  the  term,  as  used 
in  tbat  sense,  that  even  to  this  day,  among  a  large  class  of 
people,  the  verb  ''to  pack"  is  always  used  instea.d  of  other 
synonymous  or  similar  terms,  such  as  carry,  transport,  fetch, 
bring,  take,  etc.,  and  the  "'tote  u  of  Old  Virginia. 

It  was  not  until  1806,  that  the  brothers,  David  and  Joseph'/ 
Ruffner,  set  to  work  to  ascertain  the  source  of  the  salt  water, 
to  procure,  if  possible,  a  larger  supply  and  of  better  quality, 
and  to  prepare  to  manufacture  salt  on  a  scale  commensurate 
with  the  growing  wants  of  the  country. 

The  Salt  Lick,  or  "The Great  Buffalo  Lick, "as  it  was  called, 
was  ju?t  at  the  river's  edge,  12  or  14  rods  in  extent,  on  the 
north  side,  a  fow  hundred  yards  above  tho  mou-th  of  Camp 
bell's  creek,  and  just  in  front  of  what  is  now  known  as  the 
"Thoroughfare  Gap,"  through  whicb,  from  the  north,  as  well 
as  up  and  down  the  river,  the  Buffalo,  Elk,  and  other  rumi 
nating  animals  made  their  way  in  va-t  numbers  to  the  lick. 
I  may  mention  en  passant  that  so  great  was  the  fame  of  this 
lick,  and  the  herds  of  game  that  frequented  it,  that  the  great 
hunter,  explorer,  and  conqueror  of  the  "bloody  ground  "of 
Kentucky,  Daniel  Boone,  was  tempted  up  here,  made  a  log 
cabin  settlement,  and  lived  just  on  the  opposite  side  of  the 
river,  on  what  is  now  known  as  the  Donnally  farm  or  splint 
cord  bottom.  I  have  had,  from  old  Mr.  Paddy  Huddlestone, 
who  died  a  few  years  ago,  at  nearly  one  hundred  years  of  age, 
many  interesting  anecdotes  of  their  joint  adventures  in  hunt 
ing  and  trapping.  Boone'  still  lived  here  in  1789-90,  when 
Kanawha  county  was  formed,  and  in  1791  served  as  one  of  the 
delegates  for  the  county,  in  the  Legislature  at  Richmond. 

But  to  return  to  the  Lick,  and  the  operations  of  the  Ruff, 
brothers.  In  order  to  reach,  if  possible,  the  bottom  of  the  mire 
and  oozy  quicksand  through  which  the  salt  water  flowed,  they 
provided  a  straight,  well-formed,  hollow  sycamore  tree,  with  4 
feet  internal  diameter,  sawed  off  square  at  each  end.  This  is 
technically  called  a  "gum."  This  gum  was  set  upright  on 
the  spot  selected  for  sinking,  the  large  end  down,  and  held 
in  its  perpendicular  position  by  props  or  braces,  on  the  four 

sides.    A  platform,  upon  which  two  men  could  stand,  was  fixed 
36 


282  RESOURCES  OF   WEST  VIRGINIA. 

about  the  top  ;  then,  a  swape  erected,  having  its  fulcrum  in  a 
forked  post  set  in  the  ground  close  by.  A  large  bucket,  made 
from  half  of  a  whisky  barrel,  was  attached  to  the  end  of  the 
swape,  by  a  rope,  and  a  rope  attached  to  the  end  of  the  pole  to 
pull  c|pwn  on,  to  raise  the  bucket.  With  one  man  inside  the 
gum,  armed  with  pick,  shovel,  and  crowbar,  two  men  on  the 
platform  on  top  to  empty  and  return  the  bucket,  and  three  or 
four  to  work  the  swape,  the  crew  and  outfit  were  complete. 

After  many  unexpected  difficulties  and  delays,  the  gum,  at 
last,  reached  what  seemed  to  be  rock  bottom  at  13  feet ;  upon 
cutting  it  with  picks  and  crowbars,  however,  it  proved  to  be 
but  a  shale  or  crust,  about  6  inches  thick,  of  conglomerated 
sand,  gravel  and  iron.  Upon  breaking  through  this  crust  the 
water  flowed  up  into  the  gum  more  freely  than  ever,  but  less 
salt. 

Discouraged  at  this  result,  the  Ruffner  brothers  determined 
to  abandon  this  gum,  and  sink  a  well  out  in  the  bottom, 
about  100  yards  from  the  river.  This  was  done,  encountering, 
as  before,  many  difficulties  and  delays ;  when  they  had  gotten 
through  45  feet  of  alluvial  deposit,  they  came  to  the  same  bed 
of  sand  and  gravel  upon  which  they  had  started,  at  the  river. 

To  penetrate  this,  they  made  a  3J  inch  tube  of  a  20  foot  oak 
log,  by  boring  through  it  with  a  long  shanked  augur.  This 
tube,  sharpened,  and  shod  with  iron  at  the  bottom,  was  driven 
down,  pile-driver  fashion,  through  the  sand  to  the  solid  rock. 
Through  this  tube  they  then  let  down  a  glass  vial  with  a 
string  to  catch  the  salt  water  for  testing. 

They  were  again  doomed  to  disappointment;  the  water, 
though  slightly  brackish,  was  less  salt  than  that  at  the  river. 
They  now  decided  to  return  to  the  gum  at  the  river,  and,  if 
possible,  put  it  down  to  the  bed  rock.  This  they  finally  sue' 
ceeded  in  doing,  finding  the  rock  at  16  to  17  feet  from  the 
surface. 

As  the  bottom  of  the  gum  was  square,  and  the  surface  of  the 
rock  uneven,  the  rush  of  outside  water  into  the  gum  was  very 
troublesome.  By  dint  of  cutting  and  trimming  from  one  side  and 
the  other,  however,  they  were,  at  last,  gotten  nearly  to  a  joint, 
after  which  they  resorted  to  thin  wedges,  which  were  driven 
here  and  there  as  they  would  "  do  the  most  good." 

By  this  means  the  gum  was  gotten  sufficiently  tight  to  be  so 


RESOURCES   OF   WEST   VIRGINIA.  283 

bailed  out  as  to  determine  whether  the  salt  water  came  up 
through  the  rock.  This  turned  out  to  be  the  case.  The  quan 
tity  welling  up  through  the  rock  was  extremely  small,  but 
the  strength  was  greater  than  any  yet  gotten,  and  tnife  was 
encouraging.  They  were  anxious  to  follow  it  down,  but  how  ? 
They  could  not  blast  a  hole  down  there,  under  water;  but  this 
idea  occurred  to  them;  they  knew  that  rock  blasters  drilled 
their  powder  holes  two  or  three  feet  deep,  and  they  concluded 
they  could,  with  a  longer  and  larger  drill,  bore  a  correspond' 
ingly  deeper  and  larger  hole. 

They  fixed  a  long  iron  drill,  with  a  2-J  inch  chisel  bit  of 
steel,  and  attached  the  upper  end  to  a  spring  pole,  with  a  rope. 

In  this  way  the  boring  went  on  slowly  and  tediously  till  on 
the  1st  of  November,  1807,  at  17  feet  in  the  rock,  a  cavity  or 
fissure  was  struck,  which  gave  an  increased  flow  of  stronger 
brine.  This  gave  new  encouragement  to  bore  still  further  • 
and  so,  by  welding  increasing  length  of  shaft  to  the  drill,  from 
time  to  time,  the  hole  was  carried  down  to  28  feet,  where  a 
still  larger  and  stronger  supply  of  salt  water  was  gotten. 

Having  now  sufficient  salt  water  to  justify  it,  they  decided, 
and  commenced,  to  build  a  salt  furnace ;  but  while  building,    / 
continued  the  boring,  and  on  the  15th  January,   1808,  at  40  w 
feet  in  the  rock,  and  58  feet  from  the  top  ot  the  gum,  were  re 
warded  by  an  ample  flow  of  strong  brine  for  their  furnace  and 
ceased  boring. 

Now  was  presented  another  difficulty  :  how  to  get  the  strong 
er  brine  from  the  bottom  of  the  well,  undiluted  by  the  weaker 
brines  and  fresh  water  from  above ;  there  was  no  precedent 
here ;  they  had  to  invent,  contrive,  and  construct  anew.  A 
metal  tube  would  naturally  suggest  itself  to  them;  but  there 
were  neither  metal  tubes,  nor  sheet  metal,  nor  metal  workers 
— save  a  home-made  blacksmith — in  all  this  region,  and  to  bore 
a  wooden  tube  40  feet  long,  and  small  enough  in  external  di 
ameter  to  go  in  the  2J  inch  hole,  was  impracticable ;  what 
they  did  do,  was  to  whittle  out  of  two  long  strips  of  wood,  two 
long  half  tubes  of  the  proper  size,  and,  fitting  the  edges  care 
fully  together,  wrap  the  whole  from  end  to  end  with  small 
twine ;  this,  with  a  bag  of  wrapping  near  the  lower  end,  to  fit, 
as  nearly  as  practicable,  water  tight,  in  the  2-J  inch  hole,  was 
cautiously  pressed  down  to  its  place,  and  found  to  answer  the 


284  RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA. 

purpose  perfectly;  the  brine  flowed  up  freely  through  the 
tube  into  the  gum,  which  was  now  provided  .with  a  watertight 
floor  or  bottom,  to  hold  it;  and  from  which  it  was  raised  by 
the  simple  swape  and  bucket. 

Thus  was  bored  arid  tubed,  rigged  and  worked,  the  first  rock- 
bored  salt  well  west  of  the  Alleghanies,  if  not  in  the  United 
States.  The  wonder  is  not  that  it  required  eighteen  months 
or  more  to  prepare,  bore  and  complete  this  well  for  use,  but, 
rather,  that  it  was  accomplished  at  all  under  the  circumstan 
ces.  In  these  times,  when  such  a  work  can  be  accomplished 
in  as  many  days  as  it  then  required  months,  it  is  difficult  to 
appreciate  the  difficulties,  doubts,  delays,  and  general  troubles 
that  beset  them  then.  Without  preliminary  study,  previous 
experience  or  training,  without  precedents  in  what  they  un 
dertook,  in  a  newly  settled  country,  without  steain  power,  ma 
chine  shops,  skilled  mechanics,  suitable  tools  or  materials, 
failure,  rather  than  success,  might  reasonably  have  been  pre 
dicted. 

The  new  furnace,  which  for  some  time  had  been  under  con 
struction,  was  now  complete.  It  was  simply  a  reproduction 
of  the  Elisha  Brooks  kettle  furnace,  or  a  larger  s-cale.  There 
were  more  kettles,  of  larger  size,  and  better  arranged. 

On  the  8th  of  February,  1808,  the  Ruffner  Bros,  made  their 
first  lifting  of  salt  from  this  furnace,  and  simultaneously  re 
duced  the  price  to  the,  then,  unprecedentedly  low  figure  of  4 
cents  per  pound.* 

.From  this  time  forward,  salt  making,  as  one  of  the  leading 
industries  of  Kariawha,  was  an  established  fact,  and  Kanawha 
salt  one  of  the  leading  commercial  articles  of  the  west;  and 
wherever  it  has  gone,  from  the  Alleghani-'S  to  the  Rocky 
mountains,  from  the  Lakes  to  the  Gulf,  its  superior  qualities 
have  been  recognized  and  appreciated. 

The  neighboring  property  owners,   who  had   watched  the 
progress  and  result  of  the  Ruffoer  well  with  such  deep  interest, . 
now  instituted  borings  on  their  own  lands,  above  and  below, 
and  on  both  sides,  of  the  river.     Among  these  earlier,  enter- 

••  interesting  facts  in  this  history  of  tin-  boring  of  ib.c  first  well,  I  am  in- 
(!*-btc(l  To  a  MS  by  the  late  Dr.  Henry  Rufl'm  r-am!  1'or  personal  recollections 

.-u'litioiis  1.  uia  indebted  o.  is  Hutt'ncr,  Isaac  IluiFiirr,  \V.  D. 

ShivwsbeiT.v,  Col.  II.  II.  Smith,  Col.  L.  I  V/oo-lyan!,  W.  C.  Brooks,  and  others, 
mid  my  o\\  ncrs  for  the  last  3J  your.s. 


RESOURCES   OF   WEST   VIRGINIA.  285 

terprising  experimenters,  were  William  Whitaker,  Tobias./ 
Ruffner,  Andrew  Donally,  and  others.  All  were  more  or  less 
successful  in  getting  a  supply  of  brine,  at  depths  varying  from 
50  to  100  feet,  and  by  1817  there  were  some  30  furnaces  and  15 
or  20  wells  in  operation,  making  in  the  aggregate  600,000  to 
700,000  bushels  of  salt. 

In  this  year  an  important  revolution  in  the  manufacture  of 
salt  was  effected  by  the  discovery  of  coal.  Although,  in  one  of 
the  finest  coal  fields  of  the  world,  coal  had  not,  hitherto,  been 
found  here  in  workable  seams,  nor  been  used  at  all,  except  for 
blacksmith  purposes.  Wood  had  been  the  only  fuel  used  in 
salt  making,  and  for  other  purposes,  and  all  the  bottoms  and 
convenient  hill  slopes  for  several  miles  up  ai  d  down  the  river 
had  been  stripped  of  their  timber  to  supply  this  demand. 

David  Ruffner,  true  to  the  spirit  of  enterprise  and  pluck 
which  bored  the  first  well,  was  the  first  here  to  use  coal  as  a 
fuel.  This  would  appear  to  be  a  very  simple  matter  now;  but 
was  not  so  then.  It  was  only  after  many  months  of  discourag 
ing  efforts,  and  failing  experiments,  that  he  finally  succeeded 
in  getting  it  to  work  to  his  satisfaction.  Its  value  established, 
however,  its  use  was,  at  once,  adopted  by  the  other  furnaces, 
and  wood  ceased  to  be  used  as  a  fuel  for  salt  making  in  Ka- 
nawha. 

Other  important  improvements  wrere  gradually  going  on  in 
the  manner  of  boring,  tubing  and  pumping  wells,  &c.  The 
first  progress  made  in  tubing,  after  Rtiffner's  compound  wood- 
and-wrapping-twine  tube,  was  made  by  a  tinner  who  had  loca 
ted  in  Charleston  to  make  tin  cups  and  coffee  pots  for  the 
multitude,  lie  made  tin  tubes  in  convenient  lengths,  and 
soldered  them  together  as  they  were  put  down  the  well.  The 
refinement  of  screw  joints  had  not  yet  come,  but  followed 
shortly  after,  in  connection  with  copper  pipes,  which  soon 
took  the  place  of  tin,  and  these  are  recently  giving  place  to 
iron. 

In  the  manner  of  bagging  the  wells,  that  is,  in  forming  a 
water-tight  joint  around  the  tube  to  shut  off  the  weaker 
waters  above  from  the  stronger  below,  a  simple  arrangement, 
called  a  k<  geed-bag,"  was  fallen  upon,  which  proved  very  effec 
tive,  which  has  survived  to  this  day,  and  has  been  adopted 
wherever  deep  boring  is  done,  as  one  of  the  standard  appliances 


286  RESOURCES   OF   WEST   VIRGINIA. 

for  the  purpose  for  which  it  is  used.  This  seed-bag  is  made  of 
buckskin,  or  soft  calf-skin  pewed  up  like  the  sleeve  of  a  coat 
or  leg  of  a  'stocking ;  made  12  to  15  inches  long,  about  the  size 
of  the  well  hole  and  open  at  both  ends  ;  this  is  slipped  over  the 
tube  and  one  end  securely  wrapped  over  knots  placed  on  the 
tube  to  prevent  slipping.  Some  six  or  eight  inches  of  the  bag 
is  then  filled  with  flaxseed,  either  alone  or  mixed  with  pow 
dered  gum  tragacanth  ;  the  other  end  of  the  bag  is  then  wrap 
ped,  like  the  first,  and  the  tube  is  ready  for  the  well.  When 
to  their  place— and  they  are  put  down  any  depth,  to  hundreds 
of  feet — the  seed  and  gum  soon  swell  from  the  water  they  ab 
sorb,  till  a  close  fit  and  water-tight  joint  are  made. 

The  hydraulic  contrivance  for  raising  salt  water  from  the 
gums,  consisting  of  a  bucket,  a  swape  and  a  man,  was  simple, 

I  slow  and  sure ;  but  the  spirit  of  progress  was  abroad  and  it 

:  soon  gave  place  to  a  more  complicated  arrangement,  consist 
ing  of  a  pump,  lever,  crank,  shaft,  and  blind  horse  or  mule, 

'  that  revolved  in  its  orbit  around  the  shaft.  This  was  consid 
ered  a  wonderful  achievement  in  mechanical  contrivance,  es 
pecially  by  the  men  who  had  worked  the  swapes. 

For  several  years  this  "horse-mil],"  as  it  was  called,  was  the 

only  mode  of  pumping  salt  water  on  Kanawha,  but  in  the 

;  fulness  of  time  it  also  went  to  the  rear  in  1828  and  the  steam 

engine  came  to  the  front,  not  only  for  pumping,  but  also  for 

boring  wells  and  various  other  uses. 

/  In  1831  William  Morris,  or  "Billy"  Morris,  as  he  was  fa 
miliarly  called,  a  very  ingenious  and  successful  practical  well 
borer,  invented  a  simple  tool,  which  has  done  more  to  render 
deep  boring  practicable,  simple  and  cheap,  than  anything  else 
'since  the  introduction  of  steam. 

This  tool  has  always  been  called  here  "Slips,"  but  in  the 
oil  regions  they  have  given  it  the  name  of  "Jars."  It  is  a  long 
double-link,  with  jaws  that  fit  closely,  but  slide  loosely  up  and 
down.  They  are  made  of  the  best  steel,  are  about  30  inches 
long,  and  fitted,  top  and  bottom,  with  pin  and  socket  joint, 
respectively.  For  use  they  are  interposed  between  the  heavy 
iron  sinker,  with  its  cutting  chisel-bit  below,  and  the  line  of 
augur  poles  above.  Its  object  is  to  let  the  heavy  sinker  and 
bit  have  a  clear,  quick,  cutting  fall,  unobstructed  and  unen 
cumbered  by  the  slower  motion  of  the  long  line  of  augur  pole? 


RESOURCES  OF   WEST   VIRGINIA.  287 

above.  In  the  case  of  fast  augur  or  other  tools  in  the  well, 
they  are  also  used  to  give  heavy  jars  upward  or  downward,  or 
both,  to  loosen  them.  From  this  use  the  oil  well  people  have 
given  them  the  name  of  "Jars." 

Billy  Morris  never  patented  his  invention,  and  never  asked 
for  nor  made  a  dollar  out  of  it,  but  as  a  public  benefactor,  he 
deserves  to  rank  with  the  inventors  of  the  sewing  machine, 
reaping  machine,  planing  machine,  printing  cylinders,  cot 
ton  gin,  &c. 

This  tool  has  been  adopted  into  general  use  wherever 
deep  boring  is  done,  but,  outside  of  Kanawha,  few  have  heard 
of  Billy  Morris,  or  know  where  the  slips  or  jars  came  from. 

The  invention  of  this  tool,  the  adoption  of  the  heavy  sinker 
and  some  other  minor  improvements  in  well  boring,  gave  a 
great  impetus  to  deep  boring  in  Kanawha.  Wells  were  put 
down  500,  1,000,  1,500,  and  1,800  feet,  and  one,  the  deepest  in 
Kanawha,  by  Charles  Reynolds,  to  about  2,000  feet.  These 
borings  would  doubtless  have  been  carried  to  a  much  greater 
depth,  but  that  the  fact  soon  got  to  be  understood,  that  the 
salt-bearing  strata  had  been  passed,  and  that  no  brines  were 
obtained  at  a  greater  depth  than  800  to  1,000  feet.  The  limit 
of  the  salt-bearing  rocks  is  readily  told  by  the  character  of 
the  borings.  Within  this  limit  are  sandstones,  shale,  coal, 
&c.,  of  the  Coal  Measures  lying  nearly  horizontal,  though 
dipping  slightly  to  the  northwest ;  below  is  the  Carbonifer 
ous  Limestone  which  underlies  the  Coal  Measures,  and  crops 
out  100  miles  to  the  eastward.  This  limestone,  when  pene 
trated,  is  known  to  the  well-borers  as  the  "long-running 
rock,"  from  the  fact  that  a  boring-bit  will  run  along  time  in 
it  without  being  dulled. 

No  regular  suites  of  samples  of  borings  from  the  Kanawha 
wells  have  ever  been  kept.  This  is  not  important,  however, 
as  the  strata  are  well  known,  and  can  be  examined  along  the 
New  river  canon  as  they  crop  out  to  the  eastward. 

The  Kanawha  borings  have  educated  and  sentjbrth  a  set  of 
skilful  well-borers,  all  over  the  country,  who  have  bored  for 
water  for  irrigation  on  the  western  plains,  for  artesian  wells 
for  city,  factory,  or  private  use,  for  salt  water  at  various 
places,  for  oil  all  over  the  country,  for  geological  or  miner- 
ological  explorations,  &c.,  &c. 


288  RESOURCES  OF   WEST   VIRGINIA. 

Nearly  all  the  Kanawha  salt  wells  have  contained  more  or 
less  petroleum  oil,  and  some  of  the  deepest  wells  a  consider- 
ble  flow.  Many  persons  now  think,  trusting  to  their  recol 
lections,  that  some  of  the  wells  afforded  as  much  as  25  to  50 
barrels  per  day.  This  was  allowed  to  flow  over  from  the  top 
of  the  salt  cisterns,  on  to  the  river,  where,  from  its  specific 
gravity,  it  spread  over  a  large  surface,  and  by  its  beautiful 
iridescent  hues,  and  not  very  savory  odour,  could  be  traced  for 
many  miles  down  the  stream.  It  was  from  this  that  the  river 
received  the  familiar  nickname  of  "  Old  Greasy,''  by  which  it 
was  for  a  long  time  familiarly  known  by  Kanawha  boatmen 
and  others. 

At  that  time  this  oil  not  only  had  no  value,  but  was  con 
sidered  a  great  nuisance,  and  every  effort  was  made  to  tube  it 
out  and  get  rid  of  it.  It  is  now  the  opinion  of  some  compe 
tent  geologists,  as  well  as  of  practical  oil  men,  that  very  deep 
borings,  say  2,500  feet,  would  penetrate  rich  oil-bearing  strata, 
and  possibly  inexhaustible  supplies  of  gas. 

In  1775,  Gen.  Washington  visited  the  Kanawha  valley  in 
person,  and  located  some  very  valuable  lands  for  his  military 
services.  About  three  miles  above  the  Salt  Lick,  he  set  apart 
and  deeded  to  the  public,  forever,  a  square  acre  of  land  near 
the  river,  on  which  was  a  great  natural  wonder,  then  little 
understood,  called  a  "burning  spring."*  For  many,  many 
years  aft^r,  it  was  visited  by  every  one  who  came  to  or  pa?sed 
through  Kanawha,  as  one  of  the  great  curiosities  of  the  region. 
It  was  simply  a  hole  in  the  ground,  which  filled  with  water 
when  it  rained,  and  up  through  which  issued  a  jet  of  gas, 
giving  the  water  the  appearance  of  boiling,  and  when  lighted 
burned  with  a  bright  flame  till  blown  out  by  high  wind. 

In  1841,  William  Tompkins,  in  boring  a  salt  well  a  short 
distance  above  the  burning  spring,  struck  a  large  flow  of  gas, 
which  he  turned  to  account  by  ''boiling  his  furnace7'  and 
making  salt  with  it,  effecting  a  great  saving  in  fuel  and  econ 
omy  in  the  cost  of  salt. 

In   184B,   Messrs.   Dickinson   &  Shrewsberry,   boring   a  few 

-The  following  is  an  extract  from  George  Washington's  will :  •  "  The  tract  of 
which  tho  123  acres  is  a  moiety,  was  taken  up  by  Gen.  Andrew  Lewis  and 
myself,  for,  and  on  account  of,  a  bituminous  spring,  which  it  contains,  of  so 
inflammable  a  nature  as  to  buni  as  freely  as  spirits,  and  is  as  nearly  difficult 
to  extinguish." 


RESOURCES   OF   WEST    VIRGINIA.  289 

rods  below,  tapped  at  about  1,000  feet  in  depth,  nature's  great 
gas  reservoir  of  this  region.  So  great  was  the  pressure  of  this 
gas,  and  the  force  with  which  it  was  vented  through  this 
bore  hole,  that  the  augur,  consisting  of  a  heavy  iron  sinker, 
weighing  some  500  pounds,  and  several  hundred  feet  more  of 
augur  poles,  weighing  in  all,  perhaps  1,000  pounds,  was  shot 
up  out  of  the  well  like  an  arrow  out  of  a  cross-bow.  With  it 
came  a  column  of  salt  water,  which  stood  probably  150  feet  high. 
The  roaring  of  this  gas  and  water,  as  they  issued,  could  be 
heard  under  favorable  conditions  for  several  miles. 

It  wrould  have  been  difficult  to  estimate  with  any  approach 
to  accuracy,  the  quantity  of  gas  vented  by  this  well,  and  no 
attempt  was  made  to  measure  it.  I  heard  it  roughly  esti 
mated  as  being  enough  to  light  London  and  Paris,  with,  per 
haps,  enough  left  to  supply  a  few  such  villages  as  New  York 
and  Philadelphia.  But  as  this  is  a  salt  well,  as  well  as  gas 
well,  I  suggest  that  the  gas  estimates  be  taken,  "  cum  grano 
salis." 

While  this  well  was  blowing  it  was  the  custom  of  the  stage 
drivers,  as  they  passed  down  by  it,  to  stop  and  let  their  pas 
sengers  take  a  look  at  the  novel  arid  wonderful  display.  On 
one  occasion  a  professor  from  Harvard  College  was  one  of  the 
stage  passengers,  and  being  a  man  of  investigating  and 
experimenting  turn  of  mind,  he  went  as  near  the  well  as  he 
could  get  for  the  gas  and  spray  of  the  falling  water,  and 
lighted  a  match  to  see  if  the  gas  would  burn.  Instantly  the 
whole  atmosphere  was  ablaze,  the  Professor's  hair  and  eye 
brows  singed,  and  his  clothes  afire.  The  well-frame  and 
engine-house  also  took  fire,  and  were  much  damaged.  The 
Professor,  who  had  jumped  into  the  river  to  save  himself  from 
the  fire,  crawled  out,  and  back  to  the  stage,  as  best  he  could, 
and  went  on  to  Charleston,  where  he  took  to  bed,  and  sent 
for  a  doctor  to  dress  his  burns. 

Col;  Dickinson,  one  of  the  owners  of  the  well,  hearing  of  the 
burning  of  his  engine  house  and  well  frame,  sent  for  his  man 
of  affairs,  Col.  Woodyard,  and  ordered  him  to  follow  the  un 
known  stage  passenger  to  town,  get  a  warrant,  have  him  ar 
rested  and  punished,  for  wilfully  and  wantonly  burning  his 
property, — unless  concluded  Col.  Dickinson,  as  Woodyard  was 
about  starting,  unless  you  find  that  the  fellow  is  natur-al  d — d 
37 


290  RESOURCES   OF   WEPT    VIRGINIA. 

fool,  and  didnt  know  any  better*  Arriving  at  Charleston, 
Woodyard  went  to  the  room  of  the  burnt  Professor  at  the  hotel, 
finding  him  in  bed,  his  face  and  hands  blistered, "and  in  a  sorry 
plight  generally.  He  proceeded  to  state  in  very  plain  terms, 
the  object  of  his  visit,  at  which  the  Prof,  seemed  greatly  wor 
ried,  and  alarmed,  not  knowing  the  extent  of  this  additional 
impending  trouble,  which  his  folly  had  brought  upon  him. 
Before  he  had  expressed  himself  in  words,  however,  Woodyard 
proceeded  to  deliver,  verbatim,  and  with  great  emphasis  the 
codicil  to  Dickinson's  instructions.  The  Prof,  notwithstand 
ing  his  physical  pain  and  mental  alarm,  seemed  to  take  in  the 
ludicrousnc  ss  of  the  whole  case,  and  with  an  effort  to  smile 
through  his  blisters,  replied  that  it  seemed  a  pretty  hard  alter 
native;  but,  under  the  circumstances,  he  f  4t  it  his  duty  to  con 
fess  under  the  last  clause,  and  escape.  Well,  said  Woodyard,  if 
this  is  your  decision,  my  duty  is  ended,  and  I  bid  you  good 
morning. 

The  salt  water  and  gas  from  this  well  were  partially  collect 
ed,  and  convoyed  through  wooden  pip^s,  to  the  nearest  furnace, 
where  they  were  used  in  making  salt. 

Ftfr  many  years  this  natuial  flow  of  gas  lifted  the  salt  water 
1,000  feet  from  the  bottom  of  the  well,  forced  it  a  mile  or  more 
through  pipes,  to  a  salt  furnace,  raised  it  into  a  reservoir, 
boiled  it  in  the  furnace,  and  lighted  the  premises  all  around  at 
night.  About  the  only  objection  to  the  arrangement  was, 
that  it  did  not  lift  the  salt  and  pack  it  in  barrels. 

The  success  of  this  well  induced  other  salt  makers  to  bore 
\leep  wells  for  gas,  and  several  were  successful-     Messrs.  Worth 
•&  English,  Tompkins,   Welch  &   Co.,  Wm.  D.   Shrewsberry, 
I J".  H.  Fry,  and  J.  S.  O.  Brooks,  got  gas  wells  and  used  the  gas 
'  either  alone,  or  in  connection  with  coal,  for  fuel  in  salt  mak 
ing.     Gas  was  also  struck  in  a  few  other  wells,  but  did  not 
last  long,  and  was  not  utilized. 

The  first  flow  of  gas  ever  struck  in  Kanawha,  was  as  far 
back  as  1815,  in  a  well  bored  by  Capt.  James  Wilson,  within 
the  present  city  limits  of  Charleston,  near  the  residence  of 
C.  C.  Lewis,  Esq. 

The  Capt.  had  not  gotten  as  good  salt  water  as  he  expected ; 
but  instead  of  being  discouraged,  he  declared  in  language  em- 


RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA.  291 

phatic,  that  he  would  have  better  brine  or  bore  the  well  into 
lower  regions,  with  higher  temperature. 

Shortly  after  this  the  augur  struck  a  cavity  which  gave  vent 
to  an  immense  flow  of  gas  and  salt  water.  The  gas  caught 
fire  from  a  grate  near  at  hand,  and  blazed  up  with  great  force 
and  brilliancy,  much  to  the  consternation  of  the  well  borers 
and  others.  Capt.  Wilson  thought  it  would  be  a  reckless 
tempting  of  Providence  to  go  any  deeper,  and  ordered  the 
boring  stopped. 

This  well  is  now  owned  by  the  Charleston  Gas  Light  Com 
pany,  wrho  at  some  future  time  contemplate  re-opening  it  to 
test  the  gas  for  lighting  the  city. 

Of  the  many  wells  in  the  neighborhood,  that  have  furnished 
gas,  some  have  stopped  suddenly,  and  some  by  a  slow  and 
gradual  process.  Whether  these  stoppages  have  been  from 
exhaustion  of  the  gas,  or  sudden,  or  gradual  stoppage  of  the 
vent-ways,  has  not  been  definitely  determined.  It  is  known, 
however,  that  in  the  Dickinson  and  Shrewsberry  well,  which 
blew  longer  than  any  other,  that  the  copper  pipes  in  the  well, 
and  the  wooden  pipes  leading  to  the  furnace,  were  lined  with 
a  mineral  deposit,  in  some  places  nearly  closing  them.  This 
deposit  has  not  been  analyzed,  but  may  possibly  be  silicate 
of  lime.  A  system  of  torpedoing  might  break  up  these  incrus 
tations  from  the  walls  of  the  well  and  roek  cavities,  and  start 
the  gas  again. 

From  the  results  of  such  wells  in  Pennsylvania,  and  New 
York,  we  have  large  encouragement  to  hope  for  similar  results 
here. 

A  few  wells  intelligently  manipulated,  might  give  gas 
enough  to  boil  all  the  salt  manufactured  here,  and  run  all  the 
machinery,  in  the  neighborhood. 

After  the  introduction  of  steam  power,  and  the  use  of  coal 
for  fuel,  no  striking  change  was  effected  in  the  process  of  salt 
manufacture  for  a  number  of  years.  What  improvements 
were  made,  were  simply  in  degree.  Wells  were  bored  deep 
er,  the  holes  were  bored  larger,  the  tubing  was  better,  the 
pumps  and  rigging  simpler.  The  furnaces  were  larger,  better 
constructed,  andj  more]  effectively]  operated,  the  quality  of  the 
salt  improved  and  the  quantity  increased,  but  still  they  were 
kettle  furnaces  of  the  original  type. 


292  RESOURCES  OF    WEST   VIRGINIA. 

*    The  mammoth  of  the  kettle  era  was  that  of  Joseph  Friend 
\t  &  Son,  at  the  mouth  of  Campbell's  creek,  on  which  they  made 
100,000  bushels  of  salt  per  annum.      The  usual  capacity  of 
other  furnaces  was  25,000  to  50,000  bushels  per  annum. 

This  was  about  the  condition  of  the  salt  manufacture  here 
in  1835,  when  there  were,  all  told,  about  40  furnaces,  producing 
annually  about  2,000,000  bushels  of  salt. 

i     During  this  year  Geo.  H.  Patrick,  Esq.  of  Onondaiga,  New 
York,  came  here,  to  introduce  a  patent  steam  furnace. 

The  furnace  proper,  after  it  was  developed  and  improved, 
consisted  of  cast  iron  pans,  or  bottoms,  8  to  10  feet  by  3  feet. 
Eight  or  ten  of  these  pieces  were  bolted  together  by  iron  screws, 
forming  one  section  24  to  30  feet  long,  by  8  or  10  feet  wide. 
There  were  two,  three,  or  four  of  these  sections  according  to  the 
size  of  the  furnace.  Over  each  of  the  sections  was  constructed 
a  wooden  steam  chest,  bolted  to  the  flanges  on  the  sides  of  the 
pans,  and  otherwise  held  together  by  wooden  clamps  and  keys, 
and  iron  bolts  and  rods,  all  made  steam  and  water  tight  by 
calking.  These  several  sections  are  set  longitudinally  on  the 
furnace  walls  to  form  one  continuous  furnace. 

After  the  furnace  comes  a  series  of  wooden  vats  or  cisterns, 
a  usual  size  for  which,  is  about  10  feet  wide  and  100  feet  long. 
The  number  of  these  cisterns  varies  according  to  the  size  of 
the  furnace,  They  are  constructed  of  poplar  plank,  4  to  5 
inches  thick,  dressed  to  joints,  and  fitted  in  a  frame  of  oak  by 
sills  and  clamps.  They  are  tightened  by  driving  wooden  keys, 
and  then  calked  to  make  them  water  tight.  This  system  of 
clamping  and  keying  cisterns,  was  introduced  here  from  a 
model  brought  by  Col.  B.  H.  Smith,  from  the  navy  yard  at 
Norfolk,.  It  was  very  simple  and  effective,  and  has  been  re 
tained  to  this  day,  without  improvement  or  change. 

There  are  two  sets  of  these  cisterns,  the  first  in  which  the 
brines  after  boiling  in  the  furnace  proper,  ars  settled,  and  at  the 
same  time  strengthened  up  to  saturation.  The  latter  in  which 
the  salt  is  graduated  from  the  clear  saturated  brines.  These 
settling  and  graining  cisterns  are  very  much  alike,  except  that 
the  grainers,  are  but  15  to  18  inches  deep,  while  the  settlers  may 
be  double  that  or  more.  Through  each  and  all  of  these  cisterns 
from  end  to  end  are  three  rows  of  copper  pipes,  usually  5  inches 
in  diameter. 


RESOURCES   OF   WEST   VIRGINIA.  293 

After  the  salt  water  is  boiled  in  the  furnace  proper,  it  runs 
into  these  settling  cisterns,  and  after  being  thoroughly  settled 
and  saturated,  is  drawn  into  the  grainers,  where  the  salt  is  de 
posited,  and  once  in  24  honrs  is  lifted  out  by  long  handled 
shovels,  on  to  a  salt  board,  suspended  above  the  grainer,  and 
from  which,  after  proper  draining  it  is  wheeled  in  wheel  bar 
rows  to  a  salt  house,  where  it  is  packed  in  barrels  ready  for 
shipment. 

The  steam  generated  by  the  boiling  in  the  furnace  proper, 
is  carried  from  the  steam  chest,  by  wooden  pipes,  to  the  copper 
pipes  and  through  the  settlers  and  grainers.  This  steam  giv 
ing  up  its  heat  in  passing  through  these  cisterns,  keeps  up  the 
temperature  of  the  brines,  and  causes  rapid  evaporation.  The 
temperature  of  these  cisterns  varies  from  120°  to  190°,  an 
average  would  probably  be  165°. 

This  in  short,  is  a  description  of  the  steam  furnace,  after  it 
was  improved,  and  the  first  mistakes  and  crudities  eliminated. 
In  the  first  experiments  only  very  slight  heat  was  imparted  by 
the  steam  to  tthe  brines,  and  only  very  coarse  or  alum  salt 
made.  It  was  very  simple,  accomplished  all  that  was  expected, 
and  so  soon  as  it  was  fairly  tested,  improved  up  to  its  working 
condition,  and  its  advantages  demonstrated,  the  days  of  kettle 
furnaces  were  numbered. 

Andrew  Donnally  and  Isaac  Xoyes  were  the  first  to  try  and  j 
adopt  the  plan.    Then  followed  John  D.  Lewis,  Lewis  Ruffner,  i 
Frederick  Brooks,  and  others,  till  all  had  made  the  change ;  i 
and  when  the  Ohio  river  furnaces  were  built,  the  system  was 
fully  adopted  there. 

It  is  now  about  40  years  since  George  Patrick  introduced  the  j 
steam  furnace,  but  it  still  holds  its  position  securely,  'and  j 
without  a  rival. 

Minor  improvements  have  been  made,  and  the  furnaces  much 
enlarged,  but  the  general  plan  has  not  been  changed.  From 
the  2,000  or  3,000  or  4,000  bushels  per  month  of  the  earlier 
furnaces,  the  production  has  been  increased  to  20,000,  30,000 
or  40,000  bushels  per  month.  The  writer's  furnace,  Snow  Hill, 
has  made  in  one  year,  independent  of  all  stoppages,  delays,1 
etc.,  420,000  bushels,  the  largest  single  month's  run  being  41,- 
000  bushels.  This  furnace  has  20,000  square  feet  of  evapor 
ating  cistern  surface,  and  over  1,300  square  feet  of  metal-pan 


294  RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA. 

furnace-surface.  About  1.200  bushels  of  coal  per  d&y  are  con 
sumed  in  the  furnace  proper,  and  about  300  more  for  engines, 
houses,  and  other  purposes. 

How  far  this  will  be  exceeded  in  the  future  remains  to  be 
seen.  The  same  progress  has  occurred  in  freighting  salt,  as 
in  the  manufacture.  In  the  days  of  Elisha  Brooks,  the  neigh 
bors  took  the  salt  from  the  kettles. in  their  pocket  handker-- 
chiefs,  tin  buckets,  or  pillow  cases.  Later,  it  was  taken  in 
mealbags,  on  pack-horses,  and  pack-saddles. 

The  first  shipment  west,  by  river,  was  in  1808,  in  tubs,  boxes, 
and  hogsheads,  floated  on  a  raft  of  logs.  Next  came  small 
flat-boats,  50  to  75  feat  long,  and  10  to  18  feet  wide,  "  run  "  by 
hand,  and  in  ft  hich  salt  was  shipped  in  barrels.  These  boats 
increased  in  size  up  to  160  feet  or  more  long,  and  24  to  25  feet 
wide,  and  carried  1,800  to  2,200  barrels  of  salt. 

These  boats  were  all  run  by  hand,  at  great  risk,  and  although 
the  Kanawha  boatmen  were  the  best  in  the  world,  the  boats 
and  cargoes  were  not  unfrequently  sunk,  entailing  heavy  loss 
upon  the  owners  of  the  salt.  The  late  Col.  Andrew  Donnally 
used  to  ask,  when  he  heard  of  one  of  his  boats  sinking,  whether 
any  of  the  boatmen  were  drowned;  if  not,  he  contended  it  was 
not  a  fair  sink.  But  all  this  is  now  done  away.  with.  Salt  is 
now  shipped  eastward  by  rail,  and  to  the  nearer  westward 
markets  by  daily  and  weekly  steamboat  packets,  and  to  the 
more  distant  markets  by  towbpats  and  barges.  Atowboat  will 
now  take  8,000  to  15,000  barrels  at  one  trip,  landing  them  at 
Louisville,  Evansville,  Nashville,  Memphis,  St.  Louis,  or  else 
where. 

In  the  matter  of  packages,  no  change  has  occurred  here  since 
the  first  use  of  barrels,  the  principal  change  being  a  gradual 
improvement  in  the  quality  of  the  cooperage.  Our  neighbors 
in  Mason  county,  ship  some  salt  in  bulk,  arid  some  in  bags, 
but  the  larger  portion  in  barrels. 

Kanawha  uses  barrels  exclusively.  We  use  two  sizes — 280 
pounds  and  350  pounds  net  salt,  respectively.  The  pork  pack 
ing  trade  takes  the  larger  size,  and  the  retail  trade,  the  smaller 
chiefly. 

These  barrels  are  made  of  white  oak  staves  and  hickory 
hoops,  and  it  is  believed  that  nothing  cheaper  or  better  can  be 
devised  for  salt  packages.  They  are  cheaper  than  bags,  more 


RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA.  295 

convenient  to  handle,  more  convenient  to  store,  stand  rougher 
usages,  and  more  exposure  to  the  weather.  Markets  having 
choice  of  salt  in  bags  or  barrels,  generally  prefer  the  barrels. 

In  the  earlier  times  of  salt  making  here,  various  substances 
were  experimented  with  for  the  purpose  of  settling  or  sepa 
rating  the  impurities  from  the  brine.  Blood,  glue,  jelly,  lime, 
*alum,  etc.,  were  used.  Something  of  the  sort  was  necessary 
when  the  brine  was  boiled  down  in  kettles  with  all  its  impur 
ities,  but  they  are  all  useless,  and  worse  than  useless  in  the 
present  process,  and  have  long  been  abandoned.  Plenty  of 
settle-room  and  plenty  of  time,  are  all  that  are  needed  to  have 
the  brines  as  clear  as  spring  water.  The  bitterns,  after  the 
salt  is  granulated,  are  thrown  away,  or  used  for  other  purposes. 

It  has  long  been  known  that  a  small  portion  of  some  greasy 
or  oily  substance,  on  the  surface  of  the  brine  helped  u  to  cut  the 
grain,''  and  hasten  the  granulation.  Butter,  tallow,  lard, 
rosin,  oils,  etc.,  have  been  tried.  Of  these,  butter  is  far  the 
best,  and  next  to  butter,  tallow ;  lard  and  some  of  the  other? 
are  positively  detrimental. 

What  the  action  of  butter  is,  whether  chemical  or  mechani 
cal  or  both,  I  think  has  never  been  determined,  but  certain  it 
is,  that  a  very  small  quantity  of  butter  on  the  surface  of  brine, 
while  it  is  granulating  very  much  improves  the  salt,  making 
the  grain  finer  and  more  uniform. 

Heat,  too,  is  an  important  condition  in  making  fine  salt. 
The  higher  the  temperature,  other  things  being  equal,  the 
finer  the  salt.  In  making  the  finer  grades  of  table  and  dairy 
salt,  it  is  necessary  to  have  the  brine  up  to,  or  near,  the  boil 
ing  point. 

On  the  other  hand,  the  coarser  grades  of  salt,  preferred  for 
meat  packing  and  other  purposes,  are  made  at  temperatures  of 
from  100  to  150  F. 

A  still  coarser  grained,  or  larger  crystalled  salt,  known  as 
alum  salt  or  solar  salt,  and  made  in  the  open  air  by  solar  evap 
oration,  is  not  made  here,  but  there  is  no  reason  why  it  should 
not  be  to  great  advantage,  as  we  have  longer  summers  and 
warmer  suns,  than  at  Onondaiga,  New  York,  where  it  is  very 
largely  made,  and  with  more  profit  than  other  grades  of  salt. 

Some  of  the  waste  products  from  salt  making,  are  recently 
being  utilized.  Mr.  Lerner,  an  enterprising  German,  is  manu- 


296 


RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA. 


facturiiig  bromine,  both  here  and  at  the  Mason  county  fur 
naces,  from  bitterns,  and  Mr.  Bemmelmans,  a  Belgian  chemist, 
is  erecting  works  to  manufacture  hydrochloric  acid  from  bit 
terns,  arid  pigments  from  the  impalpable  oxide  of  iron  which 
is  deposited  from  salt  brines. 

The  cost  of  manufacturing  salt  on  Kanawha  varies,  of 
course,  from  time  to  time,  with  the  varying  price  of  living,* 
labor  and  supplies.  It  also  varies  with  each  particular  furnace 
according  to  size,  and  the  greater  or  less  advantages  which  it 
possesses.  The  larger  the  furnace,  other  things  being  equal, 
the  cheapf3r  it  will  make  salt.  The  general  superintendence 
and  management  of  a  large  furnace,  costs  very  little,  if  any 
more,  than,  for  a  small  one  ;  and  a  given  quantity  of  coal  will 
make  more  salt  on  a  large  furnace  than  a  small  one. 

The  best  furnace  .will  make  100  bushels  of  salt  with  80  to 
90  bushels  of  coal.  A  good  average  result  is,  a  bushel  of  salt 
for  a  bushel  of  coal,  and  the  least  economical  consume  about 
125  bushels  of  coal  per  100  bushels  of  salt. 

Some  of  the  furnaces  mine  their  own  coal,  and  some  buy 
fine  or  nut  coal  from  mines  that  are  shipping  coal.  Even  the 
best  furnaces  do  not  use  coal  at  all  economically  or  to  the  best 
advantage.  There  is,  in  this  respect,  great  room  for  improve 
ment. 

The  cost  of  coal  delivered  at  the  furnaces,  ranges  from  2J-  to 
4  cents  per  bushel.  The  present  cost  of  barrels  is  25  to  28 
cents  for  the  smaller  size  and  28  to  32  cents  for  the  larger. 
The  cost  of  common  day  labor  is  $1,00  to  $1,25  per  day.  Coal 
miners  get  2  cents  per  bushel. 

The  cost  of  producing  salt  at  these  figures  may  be  stated  at 
8»to  11  cents  per  bushel  in  bulk,  or  13  to  16  cents  in  barrels, 
ready  for  shipment. 

The  present  cost  of  boring  a  salt  well  here,  say  1,000  feet, 
after  engine,  well  frame,  &c.,  are  ready,  is  $1,200  to  $1,500. 
The  time  necessary  to  bore  and  ream  it  complete,  is  60  to  90 
days.  The  cost  of  a  salt  furnace,  complete,  depends  upon  size, 
&c.,  and  varies  within  wide  limits.  It  may  be  stated  roughly 
at  $40,000  to  100,000. 

The  people  of  the  United  States  consume  more  salt  than 
those  of  any  other  country,  the  estimated  average  consump 
tion  being  one  bushel  of  50  pounds,  per  capita,  for  the  entire 


RESOURCES   OF   WEST    VIRGINIA.  297 

population.  The  great  western  markets,  where  our  product 
goes,  consume  even  more  largely  than  the  general  average,  as 
this  is  the  largest  pork-packing  region  on  the  globe.  This 
portion  of  the  country  is  rapidly  increasing  in  population, 
and  as  rapidly  in  its  meat  crop  and  salt  consumption. 

It  is  well  known  to  chemists  that  salt  is  a  valuable  fertilizer 
on  most  soils  for  wheat,  cotton,  grass,  potatoes,  turnips,  and 
other  crops  ;  and  as  an  ingredient  in  compound  manures  it  has 
a  wide  range  of  value.  It  is  often  recommended  by  the  high 
est  authorities,  but,  as  yet,  very  little  is  so  used  in  this  coun 
try.  When  agriculture  gets  to  be  better  understood  and  prac 
ticed,  and  agricultural  people  understand  their  interests  better, 
a  large  demand  and  consumption  will  doubtless  be  developed 
in  that  direction. 

The  most  important  and  prospectively  promising  develop 
ment  in  the  manufacture  of  salt  here,  is  its  probable  use  on  a 
large  scale  in  the  manufacture  of  alkalies  and  other  chemicals 
having  salt  as  a  basis  or  important  constituent. 

With  a  population  of  40,000,000,  and  covering  the  greater 
part  of  a  continent,  it  is  an  astonishing  fact  that  our  last 
census  does  not  report  a  single  Soda  Ash  works  in  operation 
in  the  United  States,  while  the  official  returns  show  the  im 
portation  of  these  chemicals  into  the  country  to  be  enormously 
large. 

In  1872  the  importation  of  soda  ash,  caustic  soda,  <fec.,  was 
over  100,000  tons;  in  1873,  118,000  tons;  in  1874,  140,000  tons; 
in  1875, tons. 

These  figures,  together  with  the  following  article,  cut  from 
the  New  York  Tribune  a  few  years  ago,  are  strikingly  sugges 
tive  and  instructive,  and  present,  in  a  very  forcible  manner, 
the  great  and  rapidly  growing  importance  of  this  manufacture 
to  this  country. 

"  GIVE  US  THE  SODA  ASH  MANUFACTURE." 

"  Soda  ash,  within  ten  days,  has  gone  up  J  a  cent  a  pound. 
Well,  what  of  that  ?  Just  this :  For  the  bread  we  Ameri 
cans  eat,  for  the  window  glass  that  lights  our  houses,  and  in 
fact  shelters  us  from  the  weather,  for  every  pound  of  hard 
soap  that  we  use,  for  every  sheet  of  our  letter,  cap,  and  print 
ing  paper,  for  the  bleaching  of  our  cotton  cloths,  and  very 
38 


298  RESOURCES   OF   WEST   VIRGINIA. 

many  other  blessings,  we  are  absolutely  dependent  upon  Great 
Britain.  Her  manufactories  of  soda  ash  have  the  monopoly 
of  furnishing  the  United  States  with  that  article,  indispensa 
bly  necessary  in  itself,  and  in  its  correlative  products,  to  the 
supply  of  the  commonest  wants  of  our  social  and  domestic 
life.  There  is  nob  a  soda  ash  manufactory  in  the  United 
States. 

There  are  the  skeletons  of  many,  killed  dead  under  a  com 
petition  under  Free  Trade  Tariffs,  or  Free  Trade  clauses  in 
Protective  Tariffs,  which  represents  the  difference  of  wages 
paid  to  common  laborers  in  the  United  States  and  Great 
Britain,  50  cents  a  day  there,  and  $1.50  a  day  here.  But  there 
is  not  a  single  living,  kicking  soda  ash  factory  in  our  whole 
country.  Let  us  re-state  this,  our  nation's  dependence.  If  a  war 
should  break  out  between  Great  Britain  and  the  United  States 
we  would  be  instantly  cut  off  from  the  supply  of  the  mate 
rials  to  make  bread,  soap,  glass,  and  paper.  The  manufactur 
ing  interests  dependent  upon  soda  ash  and  its  correlations, 
would  forthwith  be  brought  to  the  greatest  distress,  or  to  abso 
lute  ruin.  So  soon  as  the  imported  stock  on  hand  was 
exhausted,  we  should  have  to  depend  on  blockade  running  to 
obtain  the  chemical  element  necessary  to  enable  the  nation  to 
wash  its  clothes  and  raise  its  bread  and  cakes.  In  the  event 
of  such  a  war,  soda  ash  would  go  up  to  $2.00  per  pound, 
indeed  it  could  not  be  gotten  at  any  price.  Oar  people  would 
expiate  with  widespread  distress  their  folly  in  not  hav 
ing  encouraged  and  established  this  article  of  prime  and  indis- 
pensible  necessity,  at  least  to  the  point  of  independence  from 
foreign  supply. 

But  soda  ash  has  gone  up  ^  a  cent  a  pound.  It  is  a  new 
fluctuation,  which  we  simply  wish  to  employ  in  urging  the 
solemn  duty  to  make  this  nation  independent  of  Great  Britain, 
for  the  comfort  of  its  social  and  domestic  life.  The  fluctua 
tion  in  the  price  of  soda  ash  in  1865  was  between  3J  cents  the 
pound  and  12^  cents.  During  that  time,  the  profit  the  Britisli 
manufacturers  and  importers  made  out  of  us,  ranged 
between  200  and  400  per  cent.  Money  enough  was  sent  out 
of  this  country,  to  pay  inordinate  profits  to  foreigners,  to  have 
paid  for  the  successful  establishment  here  of  the  soda  ash 
manufacture  in  at  least  eight  different  States,  and  to  have 


RESOURCES  OF    WEST   VIRGINIA.  299 

secured  a  permanently  low  and  steady  price  of  the  article  in 
all  the  American  markets.  This  rise  of  J  a  cent  a  pound,  a 
British  tax  on  every  glass,  soap,  paper,  and  cotton  manufac 
turer  in  this  country,  will  not  excite  a  protest.  How  wise  it 
would  be  for  these  manufacturers,  quitting  forever  their 
chronic  protests  against  a  tariff  on  soda  ash,  to  unite  in 
demanding  one  that  should  immediately  establish  the  manu 
facture  here,  and  save  them  forever  from  those  inevitable 
fluctuations  in  the  price  of  the  foreign  article,  and  the  extrav 
agant  profits  from  which  only  home  competition,  between 
established  producers,  saves  the  consumer." 

All,  or  nearly  all,  of  our  supply  of  these  chemicals  comes 
from  Great  Britain.  Official  reports  of  1870,  giving  the  opera 
tions  of  1869.  will  give  an  idea  of  the  extent  and  importance 
of  the  manufacture  in  that  country. 

In  that  year  the  manufactories  there  consumed  10,184, 
000  bushels  of  salt ;  26,908,000  bushels,  or  961,000  tons  of  coal  ; 
281,000  tons  of  limestone  and  chalk  ;  264,000  tons  of  pyrites  ; 
8,300  tons  of  nitrate  of  soda,  and  33,000  tons  of  timber  for 
casks. 

The  manufacture,  I  am  told,  has  largely  increased  since 
1869,  but  I  have  not  seen  official  reports  of  a  later  date. 

Is  there  any  sufficient  reason  why  this  manufacture  should 
be  so  neglected  and  ignored  in  this  country?  On  the  con 
trary,  the  advantages  are  so  great  and  so  palpable  that  it  is 
difficult  to  understand  why  capital  and  enterprise  have  not 
been  enlisted  in  it.  To  illustrate,  compare  the  conditions  of 
manufacture  at  New  Castle,  on  the  Tyne,  the  seat  of  the  largest 
manufacture  in  England,  with  what  they  would  be  on  the 
Kanawha. 

The  New  Castle  manufacturer  buys  his  salt  in  Cheshire  and 
transports  it  several  hundred  miles  by  rail.  He  buys  his  coal 
from  neighboring  collieries,  paying  railway  transportation  on 
that  to  his  works.  His  pyrites  and  manganese  come  from 
Spain,  and  his  timber  for  casks  from  Canada  or  Norway. 

When  the  chemicals  are  made,  he  sends  them  to  Liverpool 
or  Glasgow  by  rail  for  American  shipment,  thence  by  steamers 
to  New  York,  paying  ocean  freight,  insurance,  and  govern 
ment  duty.  At  New  York  he  pays  commission,  cartage,  &c., 
and  thence  railroad  freight  to  the  western  markets,  say  to 
Pittsburgh,  St.  Louis,  &c. 


300  RESOURCES    OF    WEST    VIRGINIA. 

Per  contra,  the  Kanawha  manufacturer  would  have  salt  and 
coal  at  his  doors,  at  a  small  margin  over  producer's  cost,  if  he 
did  not  produce  them  himself  at  actual  cost.  On  the  line  of 
the  dies.  &  Ohio  R.  R.,  accessible,  cheap  and  convenient,  are 
inexhaustible  mines  and  beds  of  superior  pyrites,  manganese 
and  limestone,  and  timber  of  the  finest  qualities  abounds 
throughout  the  region,  and. is  extremely  cheap.  . 

The  product,  when  ready,  could  be  rolled  from  one  door  of 
the  factory  into  boats  or  barges,  and  in  a  short  time,  by  cheap 
water  transportation,  be  landed  at  these  same  large  western 
consuming  markets  from  Pittsburgh  to  St.  Louis,  inclusive; 
or  from  the  opposite  do3r  of  the  factory,  on  the  cars  of  the 
Ches.  &  Ohio  R.  R.  for  early  delivery  into  any  of  the  eastern 
cities. 

It  will  be  readily  seen,  I  think,  that  the  advantages  are  great 
ly  in  favor  of  the  American  manufacture,  and  especially  at 
Kanawha,  where  there  are,  probably,  more  advantages  com 
bined  than  at  any  other  point  in  the  country. 

With  cheap  salt,  cheap  coal,  cheap  sulphurets,  cheap  manga 
nese,  cheap  limestone,  cheap  timber,  cheap  labor,  and  cheap 
transportation,  there  is  nothing  lacking  but  capital  to  make 
the  Kanawha  the  Tyne  of  America. 

West  Virginia  should  at  least  supply  soda  ash,  caustic  soda, 
and  bleaching  powder,  to  the  great  chemical  consuming  mar 
kets  of  the  west,  so  near  and  cheaply  accessible  to  us,  if  not, 
indeed,  to  the  whole  continent,  thus  saving  to  the  consumers 
millions  01  dollars  of  extra  cost  for  the  foreign  article,  and 
saving  the  country  from  the  risk  of  the  unpleasant  contin 
gencies  described  in  the  foregoing  Tribune  article. 

The  inauguration  of  this  industry  here  on  a  large  scale,  it  is 
believed,  would  promote  other  enterprises  depending  largely 
upon  these  products  as  well  as  upon  cheap  coal  and  cheap 
timber. 

Glass  works,  soap  factories,  paper  mills,  <fcc.,  might,  with 
advantage,  be  located  here  convenient  to  salt  and  chemical 
supplies.  The  products  of  these  establishments  would,  of 
course,  have  the  same  advantages  of  cheaply  reaching  the 
great  consuming  and  rapidly  growing  markets  of  the  west. 

The  Great  Kanawha  Coal  Field,  within  which  lies  the  Ka 
nawha  salt  basin,  is  one  of  the  finest  known  coal  fields  in  the 


RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA.  301 

world.  We  have  coal  of  the  finest  qualities,  splint,  bitumin 
ous  and  cannel,  hard  block  coal,  suitable  for  iron  making ;  soft, 
rich  coal  for  gas ;  good  coking  coal ;  steam  coal  and  grate  coal. 
Oar  cannel  coals  for  parlor  use  or  gas  making  are  unexcelled. 
Iron  ores,  carbonates  of  the  coal  formation,  are  found  through 
out  the  region,  red  and  brown  haematites  and  specular  ores 
are  cheaply  accessible  by  rail,  and  black  band  of  superior  qual 
ity  is  found  here  in  large  abundance.  As  a  timber  region, 
especially  for  the  hard  woods,  this  can  hardly  be  excelled  on 
the  continent. 

It  is  not  my  purpose,  however,  in  this  paper,  to  describe  the 
coal,  iron  or  timber ;  they  will  doubtless  be  written  up  by 
others;  but  I  wished,  simply  in  a  few  words,  to  call  attention 
to  the  conjunction,  or  convenient  proximity  of  these  great 
leading  staple,  raw  materials,  herein  described  or  mentioned, 
and  all  on  a  great  line  of  railroad  and  a  navigable  river,  con 
necting  with  all  the  16,000  miles  of  water-ways  draining  the 
interior  of  the  continent  into  the  "Great  Father  of  Waters,"  the 
Mississippi,  and  reaching  the  teeming  millions  of  population 
who  dwell  upon  his  fertile  shores  to  their  farthest  limits. 

It  is  upon  such  valuable,  staple  raw  materials,  as  I  have 
named,  and  so  favorably  located  as  here,  that  communities  and 
nations,  found  their  industries,  and  build  their  wealth. 

I  will  not  undertake  to  give  any  detailed  description  of  the 
geology  of  this  salt  basin,  to  do  so,  would  be  to  give  the  geology 
of  the  Appalachian  coal  field.  The  strata  here,  are  simply  the 
usual  strata  of  the  coal  measures,  lying  nearly  horizontal,  and 
saturated  in  an  unusual  degree,  with  valuable  brines. 

Pun.'  salt,  or  chloride  of  sodium,  is  the  same  under  all  cir 
cumstances,  but  no  commercial  salt  is  entirely  pure.  Sea  water, 
brine  springs,  rock  salt,  and  all  sources  of  commercial  supply 
contain,  associated  with  common  salt,  other  saline  ingredients- 

These  are  chiefly  sulphates  and  chlorides,  in  greater  or  less 
quantity,  and  varying  proportions. 

Probably  the  most  common,  as  well  a^  the  most  deliterious 
of  these  compounds  is  sulphate  of  lime.  Our  salt  has  the  ad 
vantage  of  being  absolutely  free  from  lime  and  other  sulphates, 
our  process  of  manufacture,  perhaps  better,  than  any  other, 
enables  us  to  separate  the  hurtful  compounds  and  purify  the 
brines. 


302  RESOURCES    OF   WEST    VIRGINIA. 

The  salt  when  carefully  made  analyzes  98.00  to  99.00  per 
cent  of  pure  chloride  of  sodium,  the  remaining  fraction  being 
made  up  of  chlorides  of  magnesium,  and  calcium.  These  absorb 
a  little  moisture  from  the  atmosphere,  relieve  the  salt  from  a 
chappy  dryness,  and  impart  to  it  that  valuable  property  of 
penetrating  and  curing  meat  in  any  climate  or  weather,  for 
which  it  has  so  long  enjoyed  a  high  reputation..  In  fact  the 
distinctive  characteristics  of  Kanawha  salt  may  be  stated  as 
follows : 

1st.  It  has  a  more  lively,  pungent  and  pleasant  taste  as  a 
table  salt  than  any  other  known. 

2nd.  "It  is  the  only  commercial  salt  that  is  absolutely  free 
from  sulphate  of  lime. 

3rd  It  does  not,  under  any  conditions  of  climate  and  weather, 
cake  or  crust  on  the  surface  of  the  meat,  but  penetrates  it  and 
cures  it  thoroughly  to  the  bone,  so  that  in  large  pork  packing 
establishments  in  Cincinnati  and  elsewhere,  it  is  found  to  save 
meat  in  very  unfavorable  weather,  where  with  any  other  salt 
known  or  used  the  meat  would  have  been  injured. 

4ih.  On  account  of  its  pnngency  and  penetrating  qualities  a 
less  quantity  of  it  will  suffice  for  any  of  the  purposes  for  which 
it  is  used — whether  table,  dairy,  grazing  or  packing. 

Certificates  from  numerous  western  firms  show  that  the  Ma 
son  county  salt  quotes  with  this  ;  though  at  the  same  price 
consumers  prefer  that  from  the  Kanawha  wells. 

There  are  in  this  salt  district,  about  120  salt  wells,  all  told. 
Some  of  these  being  inferior,  have  been  abandoned,  and  will 
probably  never  be  used  again.  Others  are  good  wells,  the  fur 
naces  connected  with  which,  have  been  dismantled  by  "  dead 
rents,"  or  other  causes.  These  furnaces  may  be  rebuilt,  and 
restarted.  The  good  wells,  if  all  run,  would  supply  brine  for 
about  5,000,000  bushels  of  salt  per  year.  Each  furnace  requires 
three  to  five  wells. 

There  are  at  present  ten  furnaces  here,  of  which  the  follow 
ing  is  a  list,  with  name  of  furnace,  name  of  owner,  and  capac 
ity.  The  aggregate  capacity  is  about  2,500,000  bushels  per 
year,  if  all  were  run  full  time.  Two  of  the  furnaces,  however, 
are  not  in  repair,  and  some  others  that  had  been  idle,  have 
only  recently  been  repaired,  so  that  the  product  of  1875  was, 
very  small. 


RESOURCES    OF   WEST   VIRGINIA. 
LIST  OF  KANAWHA  SALT  FURNACES. 


Name  of  Furnace. 

Name  of  Owner. 

6 
o 
>• 

p  '£4 

Remarks. 

Bushels. 

Daniel  Boone  
Crittenden  

W.  B.  Brooks  
W.  D.  Shrewsberrv  ... 

300,000 
280,000 

Not  in  repair.        / 

Snow  Hill  
^V  ashin^ton 

J.  P.  Hale  :  
.T.  ])   Lewis 

420,000 
230  000 

\ot  in  re])alr. 

Pioneer 

Gen  TJ  Ruffner 

180  000 

Quincy 

J  (  )    Dickinson 

210  000 

Burning  Sprin<r 

Mrs  K  Tompkins 

160  000 

Aldeii- 

Airs  S   Dickinson 

°40  000 

Lorena 

Splint  Coal  Company 

240  000 

Kenton 

Splint  Coal  Company 

240  000 

10 

2,500,000 

Statement  Showing  the  Production  of  Salt  in  Kanawha. 


Date. 

Bushels. 

Date. 

Bushels. 

1797  
1808  
1814  

150  pounds  per  day. 
25  bushels  per  day. 
000,000  bushels  per  vear. 

<1850  
1851  
1852  

3,142,100  bushels  per  vear. 
2,802,070         "         "    *    " 
2741,570 

1827  

787,000 

' 

1853  

2,729,910 

1828  

8153,542 

< 

1854  

2,233,803 

1829  

989,758 

t. 

1855  

1,493,54S 

1830  

900,132 

i 

1850  

1,204,049 

1831  

950,814 

( 

1857  

1,266,749         " 

1832  

1,029,207 

" 

1858  

1833  

1,288,873 

u 

1859  

1^34  
1835  

1,702,956 
1,900,583 

It 

1800  
1861  

-   No  records. 

1830  

1,702,410 

it 

1802  

1837  

1,880,415 

i 

1803  

J 

1838  

1,811.076 

<• 

1804  

1,300,991  bushels  per  year. 

1839  

1,593,217 

1 

1865  

801,973         "         «         « 

1840  1,419,205 

1806  

1,275,017 

1841  [1.443,645 

' 

1807  

1,321,000         "         "          ' 

1842  1,919,389 

I 

1808  

1,528,282 

1843  

2,197,887 

t 

1801)  

1,822,430'       " 

1844  

1,874,919 

1 

1870  

1,721,903 

1845  2,578,499 

i 

1.871  

1 

1840  3,224,786 
1847  2,690,087 

u 

t            it 

1872  
1873  

-    No  records. 

1848  2,876,010 

i874i!!!.'! 

J 

1849  |2,951,492 

t            a 

1875  

907,405  bushels  per  year. 

304  RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA. 

CHKONOLOGICAL    LIST    OF   EVENTS    AND    INCIDENTS    CON 
NECTED  WITH  THE  KANAWHA  SALT  INTEREST. 

Indians  made  salt  at  the  Kanawha  salt  springs.     Reported  by  Mrs. 

Mary  Ingles,  then  a  captive, 

Walter  Kelley  and  family,  first  white  settlers  in  Kanawha  Valley. 
General  Washington  reserved  from  his  lands,  and  gave  to  the  pub 
lic,  the  Kanawha  Burning  Spring. 

1785.     John  Dickinson  "located"  the  Kanawha  Salt  Spring. 
1790.     (Before  and  after)   Daniel    Boone   lived    here  opposite   the  Salt 

Spring. 
1794.     Joseph  Runner  purchased  the  Salt  Spring,  and  in  1795,  moved  to 

Kanawha. 
1797.     Elisha  Brooks  put   up  a  little  kettle  furnace,  made  150  pounds  of 

salt  per  day,  and  sold  it  at  8  to  10  cents  per  pound. 

1806.    David  and  Joseph  Ruffner,  commenced  to  bore  the  first  salt  well. 
1808.     Same  parties  started  their  kettle  furnace,  made  25  bushels  per  day, 

and  sold  it  for  4  cents  per  pound. 
1808.     'Win.    \Vhittaker    Tobias  Ruffner,  Andrew  Donnally,  and  others 

followed,  boring  wells  and  building  furnaces. 
1808.     First  salt  shipped  west  by  river,  in  tubs  and  boxes  on  a  log  raft, 

and  in  canoes. 
1810-12.     The  late  Tom  Ewing.  of  Ohio,  boiled  salt  and  studied  law  and 

Latin  here. 

1815.  First  gas  well  struck  by  Captain  James  Wilson. 

1816.  First  steamboat  ever  in  Kanawha,  called  the  Eliza. 

1817.  Coal  first  used  in  salt  making. 

1817.  The  first  Kanawha  salt  company,  "  Steele,  Donnally  &  Steele." 

1822.  Highest  water  ever  known  in  Kanawha  to  that  time. 

1822.  Second  salt  company,  "  William  and  Robert  M.  Steele." 

1827.  Lewis  Ruffner  and  Frederick  Brooks  introduced  the  first  steatn 

engine  to  pump  salt  water. 

1827.  Third  salt  company,  "  Armstrong,  Grant  &  Co." 

1830.  F.  Brooks  laid  the  first  wooden  tramway  to  haul  coal. 

1831.  Billy  Morris  invented  the  "  Slips." 

1833.  Fourth  salt  company,  ''Donnally,  Bream  &  Co." 

1834.  Col.  B.  H.  Smith  brought  from  the  Norfolk  navy  yard,  model  for 

keyed  clamped  cistern. 

Geo.  Patrick  introduced  steam  evaporation  in  salt  making. 
Lewis  Ruffner  built  the  first  keyed  cistern  (20  by  7  feet),  and  put 
a  cast  iron  pipe  through  it. 

1836.     Fifth  salt  company,  "  Hewitt,  Ruffner  &  Co." 

1841.     John  D.  Lewis  first  used  steam  under  copper  pans  for  making 
salt. 

1841.     Frederick  Brooks  first  used  copper  pipes  and  steam  through  cis 
terns. 

1843.     Big  Burning  Spring  gas  well  struck. 


RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA.  305 

1849.     Williams  &  Stevens  bored  and  built  first  furnace  on  the  Ohio. 

1851.     Sixth  salt  company,  "Eiiffner,  Donnally  &  Co." 

1856.     Seventh  salt  company,  "  Ruffner,  Hale  &  Co." 

1856.     Lowest  water  ever  known  on  the  Kanawha  and  Ohio  rivers. 

1856-7.     Coldest  winter  and  longest  freeze-up  ever  known  here. 

1861.     Disastrous  flood  in  river,  the  highest  water  ever  known  here. 

1861-5.     War. 

1864.     Eighth  salt  company,  "  Kanawha  Salt  Co  " 

1872.     The  Chesapeake  and  Ohio  Railroad  opened. 

1875.     The  ninth  and  present  salt  company,  "The  Kanawha  Salt  Co.," 

organized. 
1875.     United  States  Government  commenced  to  improve  the  Kanawha 

river  by  locks  ami  dams. 


PETROLEUM. 

BY  HON.  WM.  E.  STEVENSON,  OF  PARKERSBURG. 
Prof.  M.  F.  Maunj  : 

DEAR  SIR:  In  accordance  with  your  request,  I  give  you  some 
account  of  the  oil  interests  of  West  Virginia,  and  am  sorry 
that  sickness  and  a  press  of  business  prevented  my  writing  a 
fuller  statement  of  .this  very  important  item  in  our  natural 
resources. 

A  source  of  considerable  wealth  to  the  State  since  1864,  is 
found  in  the  production  of  Petroleum.  This  production 
at  present,  is  confined  principally  to  what  is  known  as 
the  "  Oil  Break,"  a  geological  upheaval  of  the  earth's  surface, 
giving  it  a  roof  shape  or  bulge,  especially  the  rocky  portion. 
•  This  break,  passing  from  Ohio  into  this  State,  crosses  the 
Horse-Neck  Fork  of  Bull  creek,  Cow  creek,  and  French  creek, 
all  of  which  flow  into  the  Ohio  river,  a  few  miles  above  Mari 
etta  ;  then  passes  in  a  direction  to  the  southeast,  across 
Goose  creek,  Hughes'  river,  and  the  valley  of  the  Little  Kana 
wha,  in  the  direction  of  Charleston. 

Petroleum  in  small  quantities  was  found  within,  and  even 
outside  the  territory  of  this  break,  at  a  very  early  day.  As  far 
back  as  1771,  Thomas  Jefferson  gave  an  interesting  descrip 
tion  of  a  burning  spring,  and  the  oil  connected  with  it,  found 
in  the  Great  Kanawha  valley. 

But  it  was  not  until  modern  discovery  and  invention  had 
transmuted  the  oily  treasure  into  a  source  of  money  making, 
39 


806  RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA. 

that   its   abundance   and   multifarious   uses   became   rapidly 
known. 

The  main  development  of  the  oil  districts  of  West  Vir 
ginia  commenced  soon  after  the  close  of  the  war  in  1865. 
There  had  been  partial  developments  in  different  sections  of 
the  State  prior  to  that  period,  but  it  was  in  a  very  primitive 
way. 

At  Burning  Springs,  in  Wirt  county,  and  at  different  points 
along  "  The  Break,"  wells  had  been  bored  and  oil  obtained  in 
paying  quantities,  but  the  difficulties  found  in  getting  it  to 
market,  deterred  operators  from  making  "developments"  in 
any  satisfactory  manner. 

Petroleum  has  been  obtained  near  Morgantown,  in  Monon- 
galia  county,  and  at  points  on  a  line  from  Morgantown  to 
Charleston,  Kanawha  county.  This  fact  has  given  rise  to  the 
theory  that  the  "  Great  ^Pennsylvania  Oil  Belt"  extends  into 
West  Virginia,  and  crosses  the  State  from  north  to  south, 
Acting  upon  this  theory,  parties  are  now  actively  "  prospect 
ing  "  for  new  oil  territory.  A  beginning  will  be  made  during 
this  summer,  on  territory  at  the  head  waters  of  the  Little 
Kanawha  river. 

It  is  thought  by  practical  oil  men,  that  this  line  is  to  be  the 
future  oil  field  of  the  State.  Everything  in  this  direction, 
however,  is  in  the  future.  A  few  months  will,  it  its  believed, 
confirm,  or  disappoint  the  now  pronounced  belief  of  some 
of  the  most  successful  operators  of  Pennsylvania,  in  the 
success  of  the  attempt.  Many  of  them  propose  to  make  large 
investments  in  this  direction. 

But  looking  to  the  past,  we  must  consider  what  has  already 
been  done,  in  the  way  of  actual  accomplished  facts : 

Up  to  1865,  the  oil  busines  in  West  Virginia  had  been  almost 
entirely  speculative.  Large  amounts  of  money  had  been  ex: 
pended,  and  but  little  return  had  been  made  on  the  invest 
ments.  In  1865-6,  however,  the  business  assumed  a  legiti 
mate  form.  Oil  men  came  to  an  appreciation  of  the  fact  that 
this,  like  any  other  legitimate  calling,  had  to  be  followed  with 
an  eye  to  economy,  and  to  a  proper  regard  for  order  and  sys 
tem,  in  the  management  of  oil  and  oil  wells.  As  a  conse 
quence  of  this,  oil  development  assumed  a  more  scientific  and 
business-like  shape.  Operations  commenced  almost  simulta- 


RESOURCES  OF  WEST  VIRGINIA.  307 

neously  at  Burning  Springs,  Oil  Rock,  California  House,  Vol 
cano,  Sand  Hill,  and  Horceneck.  Large  quantities  were  pro 
duced  at  all  of  these  points.  Light  oil  was  obtained  at  each 
of  these  places  except  at  Volcano  and  Sand  Hill.  At  these 
points  were  produced  the  u  Heavy  Oils,"  which  have  obtained 
a  world  wide  reputation  as  u  Lubricators.'" 

The  amount  of  heavy  oil  produced  in  the  West  Virginia  oil 
regions,  is  about  300  barrels  per  day.  Its  gravity  runs  from 
26°  to  32°  Beaume.  It  is  used,  in  its  crude  state,  almost  exclu 
sively  for  the  purpose  of  lubrication.  It  will  stand  a  lower 
degree  of  cold  test  than  any  other  oil  lubricator;  this,  added  to  its 
extreme  cheapness,  gives  it  the  preference  to  all  other  lubrica 
tors,  for  general  purposes.  By  different  processes  of  reducing 
and  admixture  with  oils  of  a  lighter  gravity,  most  excellent 
lubricators,  at  still  lower  rates  than  the  crude  article,  are  pro 
duced.  These,  as  well  as  the  crude  heavy  oil,  are  used  in  all 
parts  of  the  country,  and  even  form  a  large  item  in  our  export 
trade.  The  wells  producing  heavy  oil  are  durable  in  their 
character,  yielding  not  a  large  but  steady  flow  of  their  oily 
treasure.  It  is  the  opinion  of  the  most  experienced  operators, 
that  there  is  still  undeveloped,  heavy  ;oil  territory  of  large 
extent  within  the  State. 

Whilst  the  light  oil  regions  ran  a  rapid  course,  giving  a 
large  yield  during  their  productive  career,  the  heavy  oil  dis 
trict  continues  to  remunerate  the  producer. 

Some  idea  may  be  gained  of  the  extent  of  the  oil  develop 
ment  in  the  districts  just  named,  by  the  inspection  of  a  few 
figures.  As  far  as  can  be  estimated,  there  have  been  produced 
not  less  than  3,000,000  barrels  of  oil.  The  specific  gravities  of 
these  range  from  27  to  45  degs.,  Beaume,  the  greater  portion 
varying  from  27  to  33  degs. 

The  estimated  value  of  this  product  is  about  $20,000,000. 
The  number  of  producing  wells  at  present,  is  292,  averaging 
about  3  barrels  per  day  each.  If  the  price  and  the  times  jus 
tified  it,  this  number  would  probably  be  doubled  in  twelve 
months.  One  noticeable  feature  in  the  development  of  oil  in 
West  Virginia,  is  the  cheapness  of  putting  down  wells.  In 
Pennsylvania,  it  costs  from  $5,000  to  $10,000  to  bore  a  well, 
while  in  the  oil  district  of  West  Virginia,  it  costs  not  exceed 
ing  $1200.  Men  of  small  means  can  operate  in  this  State,  but 


308  RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA. 

in  Pennsylvania,  the  operator  must  have  a  fortune  to  make 
success  certain.  In  this  respect.  West  Virginia  affords  advan 
tages  not  shown  by  any  other  section. 

Notwithstanding  the  fact  that  oil  had  been  developed  in 
Pennsylvania  long  prior  to  1865,  and  that  large  sums  had  been 
expended  in  the  production  of  the  'crude  product,  in  Venango 
county,  in  that  state,  to  West  Virginia  belongs  the  honor  of 
first  furnishing  the  means  of  transporting  it  to  market  in  the 
modes  now  recgnized  to  be  cheap,  safe,  and  expeditious.  By 
means  of  tubing  lines,  and  iron  tank  cars,  oil  is  shipped  to  the 
seaboard  and  to  all  parts  of  the  country  in  bulk,  thus  cheap 
ening  transportation,  and  bringing  the  article  to  the  door  of 
the  consumer. 

By  means  of  steam  pumps,  adapted  to  the  purpose,  oil  is 
propelled  for  miles  through  iron  tubing  to  such  termini  as  are 
accessible.  It  is  cheaply  pumped  to  the  Ohio  river,  or  to  the 
Baltimore  &  Ohio  R.  R..  and  to  the  Laurel  Fork,  and  Sand 
Hill  R-  R.,  and  from  thence  transported  in  tank  cars,  to  its 
destination,  the  product  being  handled  with  safety,  and 
great  expedition. 

By  these  means  the  producer  is  enabled  to  send  his  oil  to  mar 
ket  from  the  most  inaccessible  points. 

Parkersburg  is  the  great  oil  centre  of  the  state.  Here  is  the 
market  for  the  crude  article,  both  for  West  Virginia  and  Ohio. 
Here  are  large  refineries,  which  not  only  consume  our  own 
production,  but  import  largely  from  Pennsylvania.  The  refi 
ning  capacity  of  Parkersburg  is  about  2000  barrels  per  day, 

In  connection  with  most  of  the  refineries,  "are  reducing"  and 
and  "treating"  houses,  for  putting  the  heavy  crude  oil  into 
shape  for  lubrication. 

Being  at  the  junction  of  the  Little  Kanawha,  and  the  Ohio 
river,  and  the  center  of  railroad  connections  which  give  it  the 
advantage  of  river  and  rail  transportation,  it  has  become  a  rec 
ognized  point  in  the  sale  and  delivery  of  crude  oil  and  its  prod 
ucts.  The  trade  gives  employment  to  several  hundred  opera 
tives,  besides  furnishing  facilities  by  which  great  prosperity 
has  been  brought  to  this  active  and  well-to-do  city. 

A  few  words  about  the  uses  of  Petroleum  may  be  of  interest  to 
the  general  reader.  The  "heavy  oils"  are  extensively  em- 
ployad  for  lubricating  purposes,  taking  the  place' almost  wholly 


RESOURCES   OF    WEST   VIRGINIA.  309 

of  the  various  articles  heretofore  in  use  for  this  purpose.  For 
illuminating  purposes,  the  light  oils,  when  refined  are  exten 
sively,  almost  universally  used. 

This  is  not  to  be  wondered  at,  when  it  is  known  that  the  in 
tensity  of  the  light  of  refined  Petroleum,  is  eighteen  times  as 
great  as  that  of  burning  fluid ;  six  times  as  great  as  that  of 
sperm  oil,  and  more  than  twice  that  of  camphene,  while  the 
oil  itself  is  furnished  more  cheaply  than  any  of  the  above  named 
articles. 

Printing  inks  of  all  colors  are  made  from  Petroleum,  the 
black  especially,  being  an  excellent  article.  Many  varieties  of 
soap  are  made  from  it,  and  are  held  in  high  repute.  The  med 
icinal  qualities  of  Petroleum,  especially  the  crude  article,  have 
long  been  known ;  its  use  as  a  liniment,  more  especially  for 
cutaneous  diseases,  is  quite  extensive.  As  a  specific  for  Con 
sumption,  by  the  inhalation  of  its  vapors,  it  has  acknowledged 
virtues. 

Recently,  it  has  been  applied  with  very  satisfactory  results 
as  a  motive  power  in  running  the  machinery  of  steam  boats' 
iron  mills  &c.  It  is  also  used  successfully  in  smelting  iron 
ores,  and  as  a  coating  for  iron  and  wood  to  preserve  them  from 
decay,  indeed  for  almost  numberless  other  purposes  which  can 
not  be  even  named  in  a  brief  article  like  this. 

Yours  very  truly, 

WM.  E.  STEVENSON. 
Parkersburg,  W.  Va.,  April      1876. 


CHAPTER   XIII. 
MISCELLANEOUS    MINERALS. 

BY   M.    P.    MAURY. 

Having,  in  the  three  preceding  chapters,  spoken  of  the  Coal, 
Iron.  Salt,  and  Oil,  of  the  State,  its  most  abundant  and  valu 
able  minerals,  it  is  proposed,  in  this,  to  speak  of  the  others 
that  may  be  of  interest  and  importance,  giving  such  informa 
tion  as  may  be  deemed  of  practical  utility. 

LIMESTONE-COMMON. 

In  great  abundance  and  of  great,  purity,  this  stone  is  found  in 
the  region  between  the  coal  measures  and  the  eastern  border  of 
the  State.  In  (he  counties  in  the  coal  formation  in  the 
northern-half  of  the  State  it  is  also  very  abundant,  the  Lower 
Barrens  and  the  superincumbent  strata  containing,  in  some 
districts,  an  aggregate  of  75  to  80  feet. 

In  the  southern  counties  of  the  coal  field  there  is  a  striking 
scarcity  of  this  mineral,  the  seams  being  thin  and  usually  of 
very  poor  quality. 

The  limestones  of  West  Virginia  are  suited  to  all  the  pur 
poses  of  the  farmer,  builder  and  blast  furnace  use.  Where  there 
is  so  much  land  that  would  be  most  materially  benefitted  by 
the  use  of  lime,  this  material  should  attract  the  attention  of 
the  agriculturist  far  more  than  it  does.  Indeed  it  is  rather  a 
matter  of  surprise  that  the  agriculture  of  this  State  has  hither-' 
to  been  suffered  to  reap  so  little  benefit  from  this  source  of  im 
provement  so  easily  within  reach.  As  yet,  its  application  as 
a  manure  has  been  restricted  to  particular  neighborhoods, 
though  there  is  no  portion  of  the  uplands,  especially  of  the 
limestone  regions  themselves,  where  it  could  not  be  used  ad 
vantageously.  The  impression  that  the  soils  of  a  limestone 


RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA.  311 

country  are  already  impregnated  with  calcareous  matter,  in 
consequence  of  the  proximity  of  the  limestone,  which  in  many 
places  rises  to  the  surface  in  the  fields,  seems  more  than  any 
other  circumstance  to  have  lead  to  the  erroneous  idea  that  lime 
could  be  of  no  benefit  to  the  soil.  It  may,  therefore,  alter  the 
opinions  of  many  to  state,  that  in  a  great  many  cases  the 
soils  even  when  in  contact  with  this  class  of  rock  of  the  best 
quality,  contain  little  or  no  available  calcareous  matter,  for  to 
have  it,  the  material  must  be  in  the  form  of  a  soluble  salt,  and 
the  ledges  which  crop  out  on  the  surface  are  carbonate  of  limeT 
which  may  be  said  to  be  insoluble  for  all  practical  purposes. 
When,  however,  it  is  burnt  and  applied  to  the  land  as  quick 
lime,  it  imparts  fertility  partly  by  being  dissolved  in  the  sur 
face  waters,  and  so-  passing  into  the  soil  in  such  a  shape  that 
the  roots  of  plants  can  seize  hold  of  it,  but  mainly  by  tending 
to  decompose  vegetable  matter  and  so  forma  fertilizing  humus. 
In  the  chapter  on  Agricultural  Geology  we  have  treated  of 
the  soils  that  would  be  particularly  benefitted  by  an  applica 
tion  of  this  class  of  manure. 

The  following  are  analyses  from  various  portions  of  the 
State,  and  will  tend  to  show  the  great  purity  in  which  this 
mineral  may  be  found: 


312 


RESOURCES    OF    WEST    VIRGINIA. 


g 

0 

c«j 

<^H 

OS 

m 

DC 

9 

« 

£ 

| 

COUNTY. 

LOCALITY. 

I 

I 

'x 

^ 

| 

9 

CHEMIST. 

Q 

0 

£1 

-•jn 

33 

O 

c3 

cc 

-3 

^j 

^w 

0 

d 

Cw 

08 

UV 

C2 

| 

O 

,0 

'a 

r-* 

p_ 

O 

Cv 

gg 

•"* 

^£ 

K 

O 

0 

< 

M 

^ 

Grant 

Knoblv  Mountain   90.08 

400 

0,72 

4  56 

064 

W.B  Rogers 

Near  Petersburg       88  52 

3.24 

1  52 

600 

0.72 

Greenbrier... 

Fort  Spring  90.11 

2.49 

202 

5.04 

034 

J.  B.  Britton 

On  C.  £O.  R.  R  93.76 

0.29 

1.12 

3.92 

0.91 

C.ED  wight. 

" 

Blue  Sulphur  Sp'gs  98.20 
Muddy  Creek  Mt  ...'88.64 

000 
9.60 

048!  0.40 
0.12    1.20 

0.92!  W.B.Rogers. 
0.44 

Harrison  

Near  Clarksburg-...  95.52 

1-88 

0.96j  092 

0.72 

« 

Jefferson  

Harpers  Ferry  81-16 

10.80 

0  52 

6.68 

084 

" 

2  miless.w.  H.  F....  153.88 

43.40 

0.48 

1,68 

0.56 

« 

"         

4     "       AV.          "  ....  J95.86 

1.46 

tr'ce 

1.83 

0.85 

" 

Mineral  

Patterson's  Creek... 

92.44 

140 

076 

4.96 

0.68 

" 

Monongalia.. 

Grenville  Furnace.. 

88.32 

0.00 

252 

7.24 

1.92 

« 

Monroe  

Red  Sulphur  Spg's.. 

90.92 

tr'ee 

1.20 

620 

1.68 

« 

it 

Union  

95  $9, 

u 

0.56 

1.88 

1.62 

" 

it 

Dun  lap's  Creek  

8652 

952 

0.52 

2.96 

0.48 

" 

" 

Little  North  Mt  

78.48 

9.20 

1.00 

1080 

052 

" 

Ohio 

\Villo\v  Grove 

85  95 

1  38    4  10 

7.61 

096 

C.E.Dwi^ht 

Preston  

Jenkins'  Lime-kiln 

88.16 

2.32    1.16 

5,80 

2,56 

W.B.Rogers. 

" 

Richard  Foreman's 

91.80 

5.72!  0.40 

1.36 

0.72 

" 

"       

Below  Coal  No.  2... 

79  52 

2.801  312 

13.80 

0.76 

" 

LIMESTONE-TUFA. 

This  is  another  valuable  class  of  lime  within  our  State,  in 
the  counties  on  the  eastern  border,  that  has  been  much'neglected; 
though  occurring  in  some  places  in  enormous  beds.  It  is  formed 
by  the  precipitation  of  calcareous  matter  from  limestone  water, 
and  may  therefore  be  looked  for  in  those  neighborhoods  where 
the  springs,  thus  impregnated,  are  of  general  occurence.  In 
Jefferson,  Hardy,  Hampshire,  Grant,*  etc.,  this  chalky  deposit 
forms  beds  of  great  thickness,  mingled  with  but  little  extran 
eous  matter,  and  yields  a  lime  ot  very  superior  quality.  Its 
utility  in  agriculture,  added  to  the  facility  with  which  the 

*A  deposit  on  Patterson's  creek,  in  Grant  county,  has  a  surface  from.  0  to  8 
acres,  and  a  depth  of  25  to  30  feet,  the  mass  being  very  friable  and  extremely 
easy  to  work. 


RESOURCES  OF   WEST    VIRGINIA.  313 

deposit  may  often  be  obtained  (no  quarrying  being  necessary 
to  separate  it  from  the  mass),  renders  it  a  very  advantageous 
substitute  for  the  limestones  of  the  same  neighborhood.  More 
over  it  should  be  remembered  that  in  its  more  friable  and  pow 
dery  state,  it  may,  as  in  Europe,  be  very  beneficially  applied 
as  a  marl  without  being  burnt.  Although  it  is  of  the  same 
composition  as  limestone,  yet  when  it  is  spread  on  the  ground 
in  a  pulverized  state,  it  presents  so  large  a  surface  to  the  action 
of  the  carbonic  acid  that  exists  in  the  atmosphere,  and  is  gen 
erated  by  the  decay  and  decamposition  of  vegetable  matter, 
that  a  portion  of  it  is  converted  into  a  soluble  bicarbonate  of 
lime,  which  can  then  be  taken  up  by  the  soil.  But,  as  this 
chemical  change  is  slow,  a  larger  quantity  has  to  be  applied  to 
the  land,  than  if  it  was  first  burnt.  If  the  ordinary  pure  lime- 
stone  was  ground  to  powder,  it  would  have  the  same  effect,  but 
the  expense  forbids  it  being  done,  and  besides,  the  burning  the 
hard  stone  is  cheaper,  as  well  as  produces  a  more  active  fer 
tilizer. 

The  immense  improvement  that  tide-water  Virginia  has 
derived  from  calcareous  marl  must  render  any  illustration  of 
its  beneficial  effects  quite  superfluous,  when  it  is  understood 
that  its  composition  cannot  be  distinguished  from  the  better 
classes  of  pulverulent  marls,  independent  of  which,  its  value 
has  been  unequivocally  tested  in  other  countries,  where  it  has 
been  found  to  have  the  most  decided  ameliorating  effects  upon 
land  to  which  it  is  properly  applied. 

LIMESTONE--HYDKAULIC. 

Associated  with  the  common  limestone  strata  of  all  portions 
of  the  State,  are  many  bands  of  most  excellent  Hydraulic 
Limestone,  which  can  be  converted  into  a  cement  to  suit  all 
the  requirements  of  trade.  In  Jefferson  county,  near  Shep- 
herdstown,  quarries  on  a  stratum  from  10  to  15  feet  thick  are 
now  in  operation,  and  have  been,  since  1825,  the  product  being 
used  in  the  various  public  buildings  in  Washington  for  many 
years.  At  Wheeling,  a  band  some  9  feet  thick,  is  being  worked 
by  Mr.  A.  J.  Long,  and  it  produces  a  very  valuable  article. 
These  are  the  only  two  places  in  the  State  where  this  mineral 
is  at  present  wrought.  In  our  southern  counties  some  three 
seams  of  it  have  been  observed,  but  never  tested  to  any  prac 
tical  extent. 
40 


314 


RESOURCES   OF    WEST  VIRGINIA. 


The  following  are  analyses  from  some  of  the  principal  local 
ities  where  it  has  heen  observed,  and  received  high  indorse 
ment,  according  to  laboratory  tests. 


I  I 

hH 

0) 

C3 

"o 

"c3 

a? 

1 

r§ 

02 

£3 

So 

*w 

COUNTY. 

LOCALITY. 

5 

S3 

0 

O 

o 
o 

1 

CHEMIST. 

(3 

"45 

2 

3 

H-i 

o 

M 

CQ 

0) 
CJ 

1 

oi 

<D 

5 

1 

s 

2 

1 

o 
"c8 

O 

<H 

M 

^ 

Hampshire  .. 

Near    Bloomer  y 

Furnace 

46.64 

30.68 

6.32 

]  5.(>0   n  7<;  \v  \\  l.v  i«'-(»i'H. 

Jefferson  

"Gray    Cement," 

Reynolds'  Quarry, 
Shepherdstown  ... 

23.90 

24.36 

42.90 

2.10 

6.74 

« 

« 

Near  Charlestown.. 

38.66 

9.50 

42.50 

3.50 

5.84 

a 

Monongalia.. 

Near  Morgantown.. 

52.04 

17.12 

8.60 

19.36 

1.40 

" 

Ohio 

Rilcv's  Hill,  Wheel 

ing  

43.44 

26.44 

4.40 

24,64 

1  .08 

u 

Preston  

Cheat  river,  mouth 

> 

of  Laurel... 

41.60 

25.92 

9.68 

20.00 

2.80 

« 

u 

Near     .  Kingwocxl, 

below  Coal  No.  3 

57.16 

23.80 

9.12 

8.52 

1.40 

u 

LIMESTONE-MARBLE. 

There  are  no  true  marbles  in  West  Virginia,  though  in  the 
counties  on  our  eastern  borders  are  many  varieties  of  dark  var 
iegated,  and  nearly  white  limestones,  susceptible  of  a  high  and 
beautiful  polish,  which  bear  that  name.  This  is  especially 
the  case  in  Jefferson,  where  they  appear  to  be  very  abundant,  for 
here  we  see  pink  and  gray,  red  and  yellow,  white,  dove  colored, 
etc.,  stones.  A  light  gray  stone  shows  a  thickness  of  25  feet  at 
Shepherdstown,  and  crops  out  along  with  strata  of  colored 
marbles,  on  the  river  cliff,  where  a  quarry  might  be  advan 
tageously  located.  A  very  beautiful  black  variety  has  also 
been  found,  and  if  it  should  prove  to  be  free  from  flaws  and 


RESOURCES   OF    WEST   VIRGINIA.  315 

fissures  when  gotten  out  in  large  slabs,  will  be  a  valuable  ele 
ment  of  wealth  to  this  county.  Five  miles  from  Charlestown, 
a  marble  of  this  color  has  been  worked  by  a  Pennsylvania 
company  for  tile?,  but  is  now  abandoned.  Not  far  from  here 
is  a  small  outcrop  of  a  beautifully  crystalline  variety  of  a 
pure  white  stone,  and  it  is  possible  that  it  may  belong  to  a  very 
valuable  deposit.  In  Berkeley,  also,  are  some  gray  and  black 
limestones  approximating  to  a  compact  marble.  In  Greenbrier 
a  bed  of  this  black  ornamental  stone  has  been  found  on  the 
land  of  the  Hon.  James  Withrow,  near  Lewisburg,  but  the 
quarry  has  not  been  opened  so  as  to  show  the  size.  In  this 
county  some  of  the  lighter  shaded  varieties  of  the  limestone 
can  be  polished  into  very  handsome  facings  and  trimmings. 
The  same  remarks  would  seem  to  be  applicable  to  other  por 
tions  of  the  limestone  belt  of  our  eastern  borders. 

BUILDING  STONES. 

From  various  limestone  and  sandstone,  strata  over  the  State 
most  excellent  building  material  of  innumerable  shades  and 
colors  can  be  had. 

Many  of  the  limestone  bands  of  our  eastern  borders  yield  a 
most  beautiful  and  durable  material  for  any  class  of  work,  but 
except  for  foundations,  chimneys,  and  dams,  they  have  been 
put  to  very  little  practical  use. 

Among  the  beds  of  the  conglomerate  coal  measures,  sand 
stones  of  almost  any  size  and  texture  can  be  quarried.  Near 
Morgantown,  in  Monongalia  county,  a  portion  of  the  Mahon- 
ing  sandstone  can  be  quarried  without  difficulty,  into  blocks 
6  or  8  feet  long.  Some  distance  higher  in  the  hills  than  this 
is  a  stratum  15  feet  thick,  that  furnishes  a  most  beautiful  and 
superior  sandstone  for  all  kinds  of  building.  It  is  a  light 
buff  and  dove  color,  dresses  well,  and  when  the  improvement 
of  the  Monongahela  river  is  completed  and  the  material  can  be 
cheaply  shipped,  will  form  a  most  valuable  source  of  revenue 
to  the  county,  as  it  has  but  few  equals  and  no  superiors  in  the 
building  market ;  in  fact,  it  is  of  so  excellent  a  quality  that 
Col.  Merrill,  who  has  charge  of  the  river  improvement,  ex 
presses  the  opinion  that  it  could  well  bear  the  expense  of 
transportation  to  New  York.  It  is  now  being  used  in  the  con 
struction  of  the  locks  and  dams  in  the  Monongahela  by  the 
United  States  Government,  and  it  forms  the  facings  and  dress- 


316  RESOURCES   OF   WEST   VIRGINIA. 

ings  to  the  two  main  buildings  of  the  West  Virginia  Univer 
sity. 

In  Taylor  county,  the  Grafton  sandstone  as  it  is  called,  is  of  a 
most  superior  order.  The  texture  is  close,  the  grit  sharp  and 
clean,  and  the  color  gray.  It  has  been  used  by  the  Baltimore  & 
Ohio  Railroad  for  their  most  superior  masonry  in  this  State.  In 
Ritchie  county,  the  Baltimore  &  Ohio  Railroad  have  for  many 
years  worked  a  large  quarry  of  a  very  handsome  and  durable 
gray  sandstone,  which  has  be^n  used  in  the  construction  of  their 
bridges,  etc.  An  extremely  valuable  quarry  of  gray  sandstone 
was  opened  at  Weston,  in  Lewis  county,  and  from  it  was  con 
structed  the  Insane  Asylum,  located  at  that  place.  In  archi 
tectural  beauty  this  stone  is  said  to  have  but  few,  if  any^ 
superiors  in  the  United  States.  In  Greenbrier  county,  near 
Ronceverte,  large  deposits  of  an  extremely  hard,  durable  and 
handsome  sandstone  occur.  One  is  of  a  gray  color,  and  was 
largely  quarried  and  boated  6  miles  down  the  Greenbrier  river 
to  build  the  piers,  etc.,  of  the  railroad  bridge  over  that  stream, 
the  contractors  preferring  to  do  this  to  using  the  stone 
nearer  at  hand.  The  other  is  of  a  chocolate  color,  and  has  a 
local  use  for  building  purposes. 

On  the  upper  portion  of  the  Kanawha  river,  the  sandstones 
of  the  Lower  Coal  Measures  furnish  the  materials  for  the  locks 
and  dams  now  being  built  by  the  United  States  Government, 
and  from  the  various  hills  along  its  line,  the  Chesapeake  and 
Ohio  Railroad  obtained  the  stone  for  the  construction  of  its 
bridges,  culverts,  etc.,  while  the  Mahoning  sandstone  at  Charles 
ton  furnishes  a  beautiful  gray  and  easily  wrought  trimming, 
for  many  of  the  houses  of  that  city. 

Many  other  instances  could  be  citsd,  but  it  may  suffice  at 
present  to  merely  mention  the  fact  that  in  nearly  all  portions 
of  the  State  can  good  and  first-class  building  stone  ba  obtained 

FIKE    CLAY. 

Fire  clay  is  frequently  found  in  the  Coal  Measures,  often  an-, 
derlying  a  seam  of  coal.  It  results  from  the  decomposition  of 
siliceo — argillaceous  shale,  and  its  plasticity  and  impervious 
nature,  when  collected  in  a  bed,  prevents  it  from  being  carried 
away  by  infiltration. 

A  very  valuable  seam,  4£  feet  thick,  is  mined  by  the  Glade 
Fire  Brick  Company,  at  Nuzum's  Mill,  Marion  County.  The 


RESOURCES   OF   WEST    VIRGINIA. 


317 


bricks  are  used  in  all  parts  of  furnaces  where  great  heat  is  re 
quired.  The  capacity  of  the  works  is  4,000  bricks  per  day. 
Of  this  Mr.  Dwight,  who  made  the  analysis  given  in  the  next 
table,  says:  "The  clay  is  superior  to  Mt.  Savage  clay,  which 
has  obtained  such  a  reputation  here  (Wheeling,)  as  to  exclude 
all  other  clay  for  blast  furnace  use.  The  analysis  of  Mt.  Sav 
age  clay  shows  1.5  per  cent,  of  Protoxide  of  Iron,  while  this 
clay  has  no  trace  of  this  greatest  enemy  to  the  refractory  na 
ture  of  fire  clays." 

This  seam  shows  across  the  Monongahela  rivei,  in  Taylor 
county,  one  mile  up  Lost  Run,  where,  to  all  physical  exami 
nation  it  is  of  exactly  the  same  quality. 

On  the  property  of  the  Kingwood  Gas  Coal  and  Iron  Com 
pany,  at  Tunnelton,  in  Preston  county,  is  the  out  crop  of  a  very 
good  article,  which  varies  from  20  inches  to  3  feet,  being  2  feet 
thick  on  the  average. 

In  Monongalia  county,  a  very  promising  bed  4  feet  thick 
occurs  near  Morgantown,  and  this  class  of  mineral  was  also 
worked  by  the  Pridevalo  Furnace  Company,  though  nothing 
has  been  done  in  this  line  at  that  place  for  many  years. 

The  following  table  shows  the  analyses  of  the  clay  from  these 
places  : 


CONTEXTS. 

g 

s 

^o    . 

j-i 
i—  i 

'c  3 
p  ^ 

|,o 

Near  Morga  n  to  wn  , 
Monongaliil  Co. 

Silica 

45  86 

6g.l6 

5427 

Alumina 

44.23 

24.11 

33.83 

Oxide  of 

Iron  

0.00 

0.01 

0.01 

Lime 

0.24 

trace 

trace 

Magnesia 

0.36 

trace 

0.02 

Potash  ai 

id  Soda 

trace 

truce 

trace 

hygroscopic 

70 

0  85 

3  00 

" 

combined  ) 

8  35 

)    6.66 

10.86 

Organic  r 

natter.          /  " 

j  trace 

0.15 

. 

99.74 

99.79 

100.14 

In  Hancock  county  some  20  firms,  employing  from  200  to 
oOO  hand-,  are  employed  in  working  a  fire  clay  which 
a  good  refractory  brick. 


318  RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA. 

On  Two  Mile  creek  of  Elk  river,  in  Kanawha  county,  a  few 
miles  from  Charleston,  very  excellent  fire  clays  have,  been 
worked  and  shipped  to  western  markets.  In  Wayne  county, 
near  Cassville,  a  bed  apparently  of  the  best  quality,  is  found. 
Also,  one  and  a  half  miles  from  Savageville,  on  J.  W.  John 
son's  farm,  Braxton  county,  is  a  stratum  about  3  feet  thick, 
and  frequently  of  excellent  quality. 

Taking  into  consideration  the  process  by  which  this  mineral 
is  formed,  we  may  expect  to  find  it  in  very  many  places  in  the 
Coal  Measures  of  the  State. 

POTTER'S   CLAY. 

This  clay  results  from  the  decomposition  of  granites  and 
shales.  That  in  West  Virginia  comes  from  the  latter  source 
entirely,  of  which  there  is  a  great  abundance  and  variety,  so 
that  we  may  look  for  very  many  deposits  of  the  material. 
When  it  is  yellow  or  red,  it  denotes  the  presence  of  oxide  of 
iron,  which  tinges  the  manufactured  articles  red.  When  the 
clay  is  white,  there  is  no  iron  present.  Potter's  clay  has  a 
peculiarly  unctous  feel,  and  has  the  valuable  property  of 
resisting  heat  without  cracking.  Within  our  State  are  sev 
eral  establishments  that  carry  on  a  very  successful  business 
in  this  material  Notable  amongst  these,  is  that  of  Mr.  James 
Smith,  at  Point  Pleasant,  Mason  county,  who  manufactures 
all  sizes  of  tiles,  the  demand  for  which  is  double  the  capacity 
of  his  present  works. 

In  Berkeley  this  clay  is  worked  and  made  into  crocks  at  Mar- 
tinsburg ;  in  Barbour  county  it  is  worked  by  Messrs.  Burley  & 
Holler ;  in  Greenbrier  county,  near  Alvon,  on  Anthony's 
creek,  a  blue  variety  of  excellent  quality  is  found;  in  Harri 
son  county  it  is  worked  at  Shinnston  by  Wilkinson  &  Flem- 
ming  into  crocks,  jugs,  jars,  vases,  drain  pipes,  &c.  This  clay, 
which  is  white,  burns  blue  and  very  compact,  forming  a  strong 
ware,  and  is  found  two  miles  from  Shinnston,  on  the  Clarks 
burg  road.  In  Hampshire  county  potter's  clay  is  wrought  on 
North  river,  arid  again  in  Hardy  county  on  the  outskirts  of 
Moorefield  and  in  Capon  mountain  ridge ;  also,  in  Jefferson 
county  at  the  Shepherdstown  pottery,  as  well  as  in  Lewis 
county  by  S.  A.  Col v in,  where  it  is  white.  It  burns  blue, 
forming  a  strong  ware  and  all  forms  of  pottery  used  in  the 
country  is  manufactured.  Also,  on  Kincheloe  creek,  in  this 


RESOURCES   OF    WEST  VIRGINIA.  319 

county,  on  the  farm  of  A.  Davis,  a  clay  is  abundant  which 
will  make  table  ware,  where  very  hard  burning  is  not  de 
manded.  At  Palatine,  in  Marion  county,  Knotts,  Swindler  & 
Co.  work  an  excellent  article,  found  two  miles  from  the  town 
down  the  river  road.  It  is  6  feet  thick,  and  on  R.  M.  Hill's 
property.  This  firm  manufactures  excellent  wares — jugs,  jars, 
crocks,  vases,  &c.  There  is,  also,  at  Mr.  Hill's,  a  clay  which 
presents  all  the  physical  properties  of  an  excellent  slip.  In 
Mercer  county,  on  East  river,  potter's  clay  is  manufactured  in 
to  crockery  and  pipes  by  Messrs.  Brown  &  McKenzie. 

At  Morgantown,  in  Monongalia  county,  there  are  crockery 
works,  and  at  Parkersburg,  in  Wood  county,  is  a  large  estab 
lishment  making  jars,  jugs,  vases,  tiles,  drain  pipes,  &c.  In 
Wirt  county,  on  the  farm  of  Mr.  Bibbee,  1|  miles  from  New 
port,  is  found  a  4-foot  seam  of  white  potter's  clay,  which  has 
been  tried  with  great  success. 

.  On  the  land  of  I.  S.  Boggs,  on  Steer  creek,  near  Kennedy's 
mills,  in  Gilmer  count}7",  is  a  deposit  of  clay,  4  feet  thick,  so 
white,  and  sand  so  fine  and  clear,  as  to  lead  to  the  belief  that 
excellent  ironstone  china  and  terra  cotta  ware  could  be  made 
therefrom.  This  stratum,  from  surface  indications,  is  exten 
sive. 

A  very  fine  article  is  found,  extensively,  near  Cassville,  in 
Wayne  county. 

GLASS    SA3SID. 

In  Hampshire  county,  in  Blue's  Gap  of  Short  mountain, 
occurs  a  very  remarkable  deposit  of  pure,  white,  siliceous  sand, 
tbat  would  be  most  admirably  adapted  to  glass  making,  as  it 
seems  to  contain  no  trace  of  any  deliterious  coloring  matter. 
The  cliffs,  for  a  height  of  several  hundred  feet  are  composed  of 
it,  forming  a  hard  rock  where  in  mass,  but  quickly  disin 
tegrating  when  exposed  to  the  air.  From  its  great  quan 
tity  and  purity  it  will  form  a  very  important  item  in  the 
mineral  wealth  of  this  highly  favored  district,  when  railroads 
give  it  a  free  exit  to  the  manufacturing  world. 

In  Monongalia  county,  near  Morgantown,  is  a  stratum  30 
feet  thick,  of  a  very  soft  sandstone  that  rapidly  disintegrates 
on  exposure  to  the  atmosphere,  and  would  make  a  good  glass 
sand  where  absolute  freedom  from  coloring  matter  was  not  a 
prerequisite.  The  same  may  be  said  of  a  deposit,  of  unknown 


320  RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA. 

size,  in  Morgan  county,  li-  miles  from  Sir  John's  run,  on  the 
Bait.  &  Ohio  R.  R.  In  the  same  county,  on  Sanely  ridge,  are 
large  deposits  of  a  fine  white  sand,  which  are  at  present  worked 
by  a  Philadelphia  company  for  glass  works  in  that  city.  The 
quarry  is  at  Alpines,  on  the  railroad,  and  while  the  sand  is  of 
good  quality,  it  is  not  so  pure  as  that  at  Blue's  gap  in  Hamp 
shire  county. 

OCHRE. 

In  Lewis  county,  on  the  land  of  Perry  T.  Smith,'near  Wes- 
ton,  is  a  deposit  some  3  feet  thick  of  an  exceedingly  fine  yel 
low  ochre,  which  in  burning  yields  a  pure  rich  red.  It  mines 
easily,  can  be  ground  to  powder  either  raw  or  burnt,  with  the 
greatest  facility,  and,  as  it  can  go  on  the  market  at  once,  with 
out  further  preparation,  as  a  mineral  paint  of  excellent  qual 
ity,  it  will  be  of  great  value  when  railroads  connect  it  with  the 
commercial  world. 

In  Hardy  county  a  light  yellow  ochre — though  not  of  so  fine 
a  quality  as  that  from  Lewis — has  been  observed  in  the  South 
Branch  valley  about  6  miles  south  of  Moorefield,  as  well  as  on 
Lost  river  near  Harper's  Mills,  this  latter  being  a  delicate  buff 
and  very  good.  In  Jefferson  county,  near  Shepherdstown,  ochre 
has  been  discovered,  and  the  article  is  so  pure  that  after  wash 
ing,  it  already  has  been  used  as  a  pigment  in  oil  paintings. 
Of  a  yellow  color,  this  material  also  occurs  at  Clines  Cross 
Roads,  near  Upper  Tract  in  Pendleton  county.  In  Cabell  coun 
ty  on  Guyandotte  river  is  a  very  fine  deposit  several  feet  thick 
of  a  yellow  ochre,  and  also  in  Wayne  county  near  Ceredo. 

BARYTES. 

Is  a  heavy,  white,  mineral,  used  in  cheap  paints,  and  for 
the  adulteration  of  white  lead.  Deposits  occur  in  Jefferson 
county,  8  miles  from  the  Baltimore  &  Ohio  R.  R.,  and  4  miles 
from  the  Winchester  Branch  of  the  same,  but  no  tests  have  as 
yet  been  made,  to  show  the  size  of  the  bed. 

A  very  pure  article  has  also  been  reported  from  Mercer  coun 
ty  on  the  north  side  of  East  River  mountain,  but  no  informa 
tion  is  obtainable  a:s  to  the  quantity  present. 

BLACK    OXIDE    OF  MANGANESE. 

Manganese  is  one  of  the  important  concomitants  in   the 
manufacture  of  steel  by  the  Bessemer  process,  aud  the  black 


RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA.  321 

oxide  is  used  largely  in  bleaching  and  in  printing  cotton 
goods,  and  produces  the  purple  color  used  in  imprinting 
images  on  china  ware. 

It  is  also  used  by  the  flint  glass  manufacturer  to  correct  the 
green  tinge  which  his  glass  is  apt  to  derive  from  the  iron 
present  in  the  sand  he  employs. 

It  will  be  found  in  the  eastern  counties  of  the  State,  associ 
ated  with  the  strata  that  contain  the  Brown  Oxide  of  Iron.  A 
very  pure  article,  though  in  what  quantity  is  not  yet  known, 
is  found  on  Anthony's  creek,  in  Greenbrier  county. 

To  make  it  marketable,  from  60  to  70  per  cent  of  the  mate 
rial  mined  should  be  pure  mineral. 

SALTPETRE 

Is  to  be  found  mingled  with  the  earth  in  many  of  the  caves  of 
the  limestone  region  of  Greenbrier,  Monroe,  and  Pocahontas, 
and  in  the  first  named  county,  has  been  procured  from  time  to 
time  in  considerable  quantities  from  this  source.  This  earth, 
or  '"^etre-dirt,"  as  it  is  called,  is  a  sediment  deposited  from 
the  waters  formerly,  or  at  the  present  time,  found  in  these 
caves,  and  sometimes  has  a  texture  of  such  impalpable  fine 
ness  as  to  indicate  that  the  deposition  took  place  while  the 
liquid  was  in  a  very  quiet  state.  Besides  this,  it  also  con 
tains  a  large  amount  of  nitrate  of  lime,  which,  by  mingling 
the  washings  of  common  wood  ashes  with  those  of  the  petre- 
dirt,  is,  by  direct  chemical  action,  converted  into  saltpetre. 

LEAD,  ZINC,  COPPER,  GOLD,  AND  SILVER. 

Lead. — In  innumerable  localities  small  pieces  of  Galena 
(Sulphide  of  Lead)  are  found,  sometimes  in  a  creek,  and  some 
times,  in  small  nuggets  or  masses  of  several  pounds  weight, 
embedded  in  rock.  These  fragments  have  given  rise  to  many 
traditions,  handed  down  from  Indian  days,  concerning  vast 
deposits.  They  can  be  heard  of  in  nearly  every  county  in  the 
State,  but  amount  to  traditions  and  traditions  only,  for 
nowhere  within  our  borders  is,  or  will,  this  metal  be  found  in 
workable  quantities,  except,  perhaps,  in  the  extreme  eastern 
counties,  in  some  of  the  limestone  formations,  and  even  there 
it  is  doubtful. 

Zinc  and  Copper. — Zinc  is  also  found  in   several  localities, 
but  is  not  workable  in  a  single  one,  and  the  same  may  be  said 
in  most  emphatic  terms  of  Copper. 
41 


•>»22  RESOURCES  OF   WEST 

As  to  Gold  and  tfilver,  many  are  the  hopes  that  have  been 
raised  by  old  men's  stories  of  money  coined,  and  silver  dollars 
moulded  in  the  wild  hollows  of  the  State,  and  many  a  day's 
labor  lias  been  lost  to  the  laboring  man  by  ".wild  goose 
chases,7'  induced  by  old  traditions  concerning  the  presence  of 
these  metals,  when  the  geological  structure  of  West  Virginia 
does  not,  in  a  single  locality,  from  north  to  south,  or  east  to 
west,  admit  of  their  profitable  presence.  It  would  be  far  better 
for  our  general  welfare  if  Nature  had  not  put  an  ounce  of 
Lead,  Zinc  or  Copper  within  our  borders,  and  that  there  were 
no  shining  yellow  iron  pyrites  or  silvery  glittering  scales  of 
mica  to  tempt  men  off  from  profitable  labor. 


CHAPTER   XIV. 
MINERAL   WATERS. 

BY  DR.  J.  J.  MOORMAN, 

OF  THE  GREENBRIER  WHITE  SULPHUR  SPRINGS. 
As  a  scientist  might  infer  from  the  general  geological  char 
acter  of  West  Va.,  and  especially  from  the  chemical  character  of 
her  abounding  minerals,  numerous  medicinal  waters  are  found 
to  exist  in  the  State,  some  of  which  have  been  well  and  fully 
tested  for  many  years,  and  are  equal,  or  superior  to  any  waters 
of  their  class,  found  in  any  portion  of  the  world. 

West  Virginia  comprises,  within  her  southern  a.nd  south 
eastern  border,  a  large  portion  of  the  celebrated  mineral 
spring  plaza,  long  known  as  the  "  Spring  Region  of  Virginia,'" 
and  which,  for  the  last  80  or  90  years,  has  been  greatly  resort, 
ed  to  by  the  seekers  of  health  and  pleasure,  of  every  great 
section  of  the  United  States. 

The  springs  of  this  State  present  considerable  variety  of 
chemical  character,  and  therapeutic  adaptation: — comprising 
various  and  differently  compounded  sulphur  waters  ;  the  Chaly 
beate*,  simple,  and  compounded  :  the  Aeidulom.  or  Carbonated  ; 
the  Saline:  the  Aluminated  CJialybeates;  with  thermal  waters, 
not  of  very  high  temperature. 

Of  these  springs,  the  sulphur  waters,  so  far  as  such  springs 
have  yet  been  developed,  are  found  in  greatest  abundance, 
and  in  greater  strength,  on  the  southern  border  of  the  State, 
and  on  the  western  and  northern  slopes  of  the  Alleghany 
mountains:  The  Simple  Cholybeates,  are  found  in  every  great 
section  of  the  State,  but  in  greatest  strength,  so  far  as  they 
have  been  tested,  along  the  course  of  the  great  Appalachian 
Ranges,  extending  from  the  northeastern  to  the  southwestern 
extremities  of  the  State, 


324  RESOURCES  OF    WEST   VIRGINIA. 

The  Acidulous  Carbonated  waters,  as  well  as  the  Aluminated 
Chalybeates,  are  found  in  different  parts  of  the  State^but  have 
been  most  developed  on  its  southern  border. 

The  most  valuable  mineral  waters  of  the  State,  so  far  as  they 
have  been  tested  in  the  treatment  of  diseases,  are  the  sulphur 
ous, — the  alum  waters,  as  they  are  called  commonly,  and  the 
Compound  Acidulated  waters.  The  latter  especially,  are  gen 
erally  found  adjacent  to  faults  in  the  strata,  or  where  the 
rocks  give  evidence  of  displacement  from  their  natural  posi 
tion,  and  near  the  junction  of  slates  with  limestone. 

The  alum  waters,  so  far  as  I  have  ever  known,  are  an  infil 
tration  through  slate,  which  generally  lies  a  few  feet  below 
the  surface  of  the  earth,  but  often  cropping  out  considerably 
above  it.  I  have  examined  numerous  specimens  of  these 
waters,  obtained  from  different  sections,  and  found  them  all 
to  possess  the  leading  chemical  characteristic  of  the  springs 
of  this  class,  which  have  been  brought  into  popular  use. 

My  observations  are  to  the  effect  that  the  mineral  waters  of 
the  State  generally;  and  certainly  those  within  the  ranges 
of  the  disturbances  of  the  rocks  so  common  in  the  southern 
section  of  the  State,  are  slightly  thermal,  compared  with  the 
temperature  of  the  common  springs  in  their  vicinity,  or  of 
the  earth  through  which  they  flow.  The  decided  thermal  waters, 
some  of  them  running  up  as  high  as  107°,  are  found  immedi 
ately  on  the  eastern  slopes  of  the  Alleghany  in  Virginia,  and 
within  a  few  miles  of  the  southern  border  of  West  Virginia. 

In  particularizing  the  leading,  and  long  used  mineral 
springs  of  the  State, — and  it  is  such  only  that  I  propose  par 
ticularly  to  mention,  I  will  first  mention  those  on  the  ex 
treme  eastern  border. 

BEBKELEY    SPBINGS, 

In  the  county  Morgan,  are  the  oldest  in  the  State,  or  in 
the  southern  country,  in  public  use.  They  were  much  vis 
ited  in  Colonial  times,  and  long  before  the  Revolutionary 
war.  The  land  upon  which  they  are  situated,  originally 
belonged  to  the  Right  Honorable  Thomas  Lord  Fairfax. 
Building  lots  were  laid  off  here  by  an  act  of  the  Legisla 
ture,  in  1776,  and  among  those  who  became  owners  of  them 
and  were  the  habitues  of  the  springs,  were  Charles  Car 
roll,  of  Carrollton,  Gen.  Horatio  Gates,  Gen.  George  Wash 
ington,  and  many  others  of  note  and  distinction. 


RESOURCES   OF    WEST   VIRGINIA.  &~0 

The  bathing  establishments  are  extensive  and  convenient. 
The  ladies'  bath  house  is  an  elegant  structure,  90  feet  long, 
containing  nice  private  baths,  and  a  plunge  bath  30  by  16 
feet,  floored  with  white  marble.  The  hotel  accommodations 
are  extensive  and  well  gotten  up. 

The  temperature  of  the  water  ranges  from  72°  to  74°  Fahr., 
and  remains  the  same  at  all  seasons.  It  has  never  been  care 
fully  analyzed. 

Medical  Use. — While  these  waters  possess  considerable  virtues 
when  taken  internally,  they  have  been  most  celebrated  as  a 
bath.  Thus  used,  they  have  been  found  beneficial  in  the  whole 
class  of  nervous  disorders,  that  are  disconnected  with  a  full 
plethoric  habit,  extrema  debility,  or  decided  organic  derange 
ments.  In  reduced  habit,  or  debility,  when  sufficient  power 
of  reaction  exists  in  the  system,  they  prove  useful.  Persons 
who  are  suffering  from  a  residence  in  a  warm  or  damp  climate, 
are  generally  much  benefitted  by  these  baths.  In  subacute 
rheumatism,  they  have  a  good  reputation,  and  in  many  such 
cases  have  been  advantageously  employed. 

As  a  beverage,  they  are  serviceable  in  several  of  the  mildly 
chronic,  or  subacute  disorders;  such  as  derangements  of  the 
digestion,  unconnected  with  organic  disease. 

In  the  early  stages  of  calculus  diseases,  attended  with  irrita 
ble  bladder,  their  use  internally  and  externally  is  often  bene 
ficial. 

ORICH'S  SULPHUR  SPRINGS. 

Situated  three  and  a  half  miles  from  Berkeley,  on  the  Warm 
Spring  run,  and  near  the  road  that  leads  to  Hancock,  is  Orich's 
Sulphur  Spring.  It  is  a  very  pleasant  water,  of  the  tempera 
ture  of  85°  Fah.  If  properly  improved,  it  will  become  a  bene 
ficial  place  for  popular  resort,  and  an  important  auxiliary  to 
Berkeley  Springs. 

SH  ANN  ON  DALE  SPRINGS. 

The  Shannondale  Springs  are  in  the  county  of  Jefferson,  and 
arise  in  a  peninsula  of  the  Shenandoah  river,  known  as  the 
'•  Horse  Shoe."  They  are  five  and  a  half  miles  from  Charles- 
town,  the  seat  of  justice  for  Jefferson  county. 

The  springs  are  three  in  number,  but  one  only  is  principally 
used.  The  temperature  of  the  water  is  55°  Fah. 


326  RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA. 

The  Shannondale  water  seems  to  have  some  approximation, 
in  its  nature  and  effects,  to  the  celebrated  Bedford"  water.  It 
may  properly  be  classed  as  a  Saline  Chalybeate,  and  may  be  used 
with  good  effects,  as  a  mild  alterative  tonic,  in  some  forms  of 
dyspepsia,  nervous  diseases,  general  debility  unattended  with 
serious  organic  derangements,  chronic  diseases  of  the  mucous 
surfaces,  such  as  gleet,  leucorrhoea,  etc.,  and  in  that  class  of 
female  diseases  requiring  the  aid  of  mineral  tonics.  The  water 
acts  generally  ay  a  diuretic,  and  very  commonly  has  a  noted 
aperient  effect. 

The  late  Dr.  DeButts,  of  Baltimore,  analyzed  this  water  in 
1821.  One  hundred  grains  of  its  solid  contents  afforded  the 
following  results: 

Carbonate  of  Lime 1.0. o  grains 

Sulphate  of  Lime (>30      " 

Sulphate  of  Magnesia ^ 23.5      " 

Chloride  of  Magnesium 1.0      " 

Chloride  of  Sodium 1.0      '• 

Sulphate  of  Iron 0.3      " 

Carbonate  of  Iron 0.7      '• 

Gaseous  contents,  sulphuretted  hydrogen,  quantity  not  ascer 
tained;  carbonic  acid,  quantity  not  ascertained. 

The  accommodations  at  Shannondale  are  not  extensive,  being 
perhaps  adapted  to  140  to  150  persons;  but  it  is,  admittedly  a 
very  delightful  placs,  and  the  scenery  is  unsurpassed  for  its 
varied  beauty  and  grandeur,  exciting  the  admiration  of  all 
who  behold  it. 

CAPON  SPRINGS, 

At  the  -western  base  of  North  mountain,  in  the  county  of 
Hampshire,  have  been  a  favorite  resort  for  those  seeking  recre 
ation  and  health,  for  many  years. 

The  improvements  here  are  extensive, and  comfortable;  suf 
ficient  for  the  entertainment  of  seven  or  eight  hundred  persons. 
The  bathing  establishments  are  extensive  and  elegant. 

The  spring  is  bold,  affording  a,bout  100  gallons  of  water  per 
minute.  The  temperature  of  the  water  as  it  flows  from  the 
earth  is  64°.  A  qualitative  analysis  shows  that  the  water 
contains:  Silicic  acid.  Soda,  Magnesia,  Bromine,  Iodine,  Car 
bonic  acid. 

Except  in  thermal  character,  this  water  cannot  be  closely 


RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA.  o'27 

'compared  to  any  of  the  springs  of  the  State.  As  a  therapeu 
tic  agent  it  more  resembles  Berkeley,  than  any  other. 

Medical  Uses. — Both  as  a  bath  and  a  beverage  it  will,  when 
properly  directed,  be  found  very  useful  in  a  wide  range  of  dis 
eases,  especially  in  idiopathic  affections  of  the  nervous  system 
— dyspeptic  depravities,  chronic  derangements  of  the  mucous 
surfaces,  etc. 

It  has  acquired  reputation,  and  I  believe  justly,  as  a  remedy 
in  gravel,  and  other  derangements  of  the  urinary  organs.  It 
is  a  valuable  water,  and  like  the  Berkeley  water,  is  destined 
to  grOAV  in  public  favor. 

THE  SWEET"  SPRING, 

In  the  county  of  Monroe,  next  to  Berkeley,  is  the  oldest  water 
ing  place  in  the  South  that  has  permanently  kept  up  its  visita 
tions  and  maintained  its  reputation.  The  hotel  accommoda 
tions  are  extensive  and  comfortable.  The  bathing  facilities, 
for  both  sexes ,  are  neat  and  well  adapted  to  their  purpose. 

The  temperature  of  the  water  of  the  spring  and  bath  varies 
from  72°  to  76°  Fah.      The  analysis  of  the  water  by  Professor 
Rogers,  shows  that  it  contains  in  100  cubic  inches,  the  follow 
ing  ingredients  and  proportions,  viz  : 
1st.     Solid  matter  procured  by  evaporation  from  100  cubic 

inches  of  the  water 32.07    grains 

2d.     Quantity  of  each  solid  ingredient,  estimated  as  perfect 
ly  free  from  water,  in  100  cubic  inches  of  water : 

Sulphate  of  Lime 5.703  grains 

Sulphate  of  Magnesia 4.007      " 

Sulphate  of  Soda 2.740      " 

Carbonate  of  Lime 13.012      " 

Carbonate  of  Magnesia 0.357      " 

Chloride  of  Sodium 0.060      " 

Chloride  of  Magnesium 0.136      " 

Chloride  of   Calcium 0.065      " 

Peroxide  of  Iron 0,065      " 

Silica 0.075      '• 

Earthy    Phosphate Trace. 

Iodine Trace, 

3d.     Volume  of  each  of  the  gMs.-s  contained  in  a  free  state, 
in  100  cubic  inches  of  water : 

Carbonic  Acid 37.17  cubic  inches 

Nitrogen 1.87       "         " 

Sulphuretted  Hydrogen Trace. 

Oxygen Trace, 


328  RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA. 

Therapeutic  Effects. — Its  first  effects  when  drunk,  due  to  its 
temperature  and  gaseous  contents,  are  a  feeling  of  warmth  at 
the  stomach,  with  a  sensation  of  fullness  of  the  head  and  some 
giddiness.  Taken  at  intervals  in  moderate  quantities,  it  pro 
duce4?  a  slight  moisture  of  the  skin,  and  an  increase  in  the  flow 
of  urine.  If  the  stomach  be  in  a  good  condition,  it  increases 
the  appetite,  and  imparts  general  vigor  to  the  system.  Its 
effects  upon  the  bowels  vary  at  first,  but  after  some  days  use, 
it  will  be  found  to  increase  a  costive  habit. 

As  a  tonic  in  pure  debility,  unaccompanied  by  congestion 
in  the  vital  organs,  it  may  be  used  both  as  a  beverage  and  bath, 
to  great  advantage.  In  -that  form  of  dyspeptic  depravity, 
accompaned  by  gc&rodenia,  or  spasm,  with  pains  occurring  at 
intervals,  connected  with  heartburn,  and  generally  with  cold 
feet  and  topid  skin,  it  is  employed  with  decided  advantage. 

In  chronic  diarrhoea  and  dysentery,  it  is  often  highly 
beneficial. 

In  sub-acute  rheumatism,  in  primary  neuralgia,,  and  for  deli 
cate  females,  enervated  by  long  nursing,  it  is  employed  with 
good  effect.  As  might  be  supposed  from  its  excess  of  carbonic 
acid,  it  is  found  useful  in  calculus  and  nephritic  complaints. 

As  an  exhilarating  and  tonic  bath,  this  water  is  highly 
prized.  It  is  advantageous  in  quite  a  large  number  of  cases, 
for  which  baths  of  its  temperature  and  chemical  composition 
are  adapted. 

WHITE  SULPHUR   SPRINGS, 

The  White  Sulphur  Springs,  so  long  famous  among  the 
mineral  waters  of  the  world,  are  in  the  county  of  Greenbrier, 
o  miles  west  of  the  crest  of  the  Alleghany  mountains. 

These  springs  have  been  known,  and  appreciated  as  min 
eral  waters,  for  nearly  100  years,  and  for  75  of  that  period, 
have  been  held  in  high  repute  for  their  medicinal  efficacy. 

The  improvements  here  are  extensive,  affording  accommo 
dations  directly,  and  with  their  cottages,  for  from  1,500  to 
2,000  persons.  The  altitude  of  the  spring  above  the  sea  level 
is  about  2,000  feet. 

The  spring  is  a  bold  one,  yielding  upwards  of  30  gallons 
per  minute,  and  is  not  influenced  in  its  flow,  or  in  the  strength 
of  the  water,  either  by  the  season  of  the  year,  or  by  wet  and 
dry  weather.  The  temperature  of  the  water  is  uniformly 


RESOURCES  OF    WEST   VIRGINIA.  329 

62°  Fah.,  which  is  10°  warmer  than  the   neighboring  surface 
springs,  or  the  earth  through  which  it  flows. 

The  analysis  of  this  water  shows  that  100  cubic  inches,  or 
3-J  pints,  nearly,  contain  the  following  ingredients  : 

Sulphate  of  Lime, 31. (580  grains. 

"  Magnesia 8.241       " 

"  Soda... 4.050       " 

"Alumina., 0.012       " 

Protosulphate  of  Iron 0.069       " 

Carbonate  of  Lime 1.520       " 

"    Magnesia 1.071       " 

Chloride  of  Calcium 0.010      " 

."        "    Sodium 0.226       " 

Earthy  phosphates a  trace. 

Azotized  organic  matter,  combined  with  a  large  amount  of 
sulphur,  about  005  grains. 

Also  some  Iodine,  combined  with  Sodium  or  Magnesium. 
Volume  of  each  of  the  gases,  in  a  free  state,  estimated  in  100 
cubic  inches  of  water  : 

Sulphuretted  Hydrogen 0.66  cubic  inches, 

Nitrogen 0.6G  " 

Oxygen 0.19 

Carbonic    Acid 3.67  " 

MEDICAL  CHARACTER, 

The  distinctive  medicinal  influence  of  these  waters  upon 
the  system,  are  cathartic,  diuretic,  sudorific,  and  alterative.  Some 
cathartic  and  diuretic  effect,  as  well  as  a  distinct  determination 
to  the  skin  by  sweating,  is  induced  by  its  use  in  the  great 
majority  that  drink  it ;  but  its  most  decidedly  controlling  effect 
over  diseased  action,  and  that  which,  more  than  any  other, 
gives  it  its  highest  and  most  valuable  character  as  a  remedy, 
is  its  alterative  power,  or  that  peculiar  action  by  which  it 
effects  salutary  changes,  or  alterations  in  the  blood,  in  the 
various  secretions,  and  in  the  tissues  of  the  body  generally. 

The  water  has  also  the  remarkable  power  of  reducing  the 
frequency  of  the  pulse  when  unduly  excited.  This  is  not  to 
be  attributed  to  a  direct  sedative  effect  of  the  water  upon  the 
heart  and  arteries,  but  to  its  potent  influence  in  abating  gener 
al  excitement,  resolving  inflammations,  and  removing  obstruc 
tions,  thus  bringing  back  the  system  to  its  normal  condition. 
42 


330  RESOURCES    OF    WEST    VIRGINIA. 

Experiment  has  abundantly  established  the  fact  of  the 
direct  and  positive  effect  of  these  waters  in  controlling  and 
eradicating  many  diseases.  When  properly  used,  their  effect 
is  to  revive  the  languishing  circulation,  to  give  a  new  direc 
tion  to  the  vital  energies,  re-establish  the  perspiratory  action 
of  the  skin,  bring  back  to  their  physiological  type  the  vitiated 
or  suppressed  secretions,  provoke  salutory  evacuations,  either 
by  urine  or  stool,  or  by  transpiration  ;  thus  they  bring  about  in 
the  animal  system,  through  their  alterative  power,  an  internal 
transmutation  or  profound  change. 

It  is  thus  that  they  relieve  chronic  disordered  action,  and  im 
part  natural  energy  and  elasticity  to  vessels  that  have  been 
distended  either  by  inflammation  or  congestion,  while  they 
communicate  an  energy  to  the  muscular  fibre  and  to  the  ani 
mal  tissues  generally,  which  is  not  witnessed  from  the  ad 
ministration  of  ordinary  remedies.  This  is  the  alterative  effect 
and  the  profound  change  to  which  I  have  alluded,  and  which 
gives  to  these  waters  their  characteristic  efficiency. 

The  White  Sulphur  water  is  used  with  good  effect  in  most 
of  the  disorders  of  the  abdominal  viscera — such  as  dyspepsia, 
chronic  irritations  of  the  mucous  coat  of  the  stomach  and  bowels , 
chronic  live''  complaint,  jaundice,  and  in  long  standing  cases  of 
diarrhoea  and  dysentery,  when  unattended  by  inflammatory 
action.  In  the  various  disorders  of  the  urinary  organs,  and 
especially  when  such  disorders  depend  upon  acid  predomi 
nance  in  the  fluids  it  is  useful.  To  chronic  rheumatism  and  the 
various  diseases  of  the  skin,  as  exema  and  its  kindred  affections, 
it  is  most  happily  adapted. 

A  regular  and  marked  effect  of  the  free  use  of  this  water,  is 
its  potency  in  abating,  or  entirely  overcoming,  during  the 
time  of  its  use,  the  desire  for  drinking  ardent  spirits  by  those 
who  have  been  habitually  indulging  in  their  use.  During 
my  long  residence  at  the  Springs,  I  have  witnessed  hundreds 
of  cases  justifying  the  above  statement.  This  influence  de 
pends,  first,  on  the  action  of  the  sulphuretted  hydrogen  in  the 
water,  which  is  an  active  nervine  stimulant,  and  as  such,  sup 
plies,  for  the  time,  the  want  the  inebriate  feels  for  his  accus 
tomed  alcoholic  stimulant;  and  secondly,  on  the  alterative 
influence  exerted  by  the  waters  on  the  organism,  which  brings 
the  entire  animal  structure  into  harmoneous  action,  and  pro- 


RESOURCES   OF   WEST   VIRGINIA.  331 

duces  an  abatement  of  the  cerebral  and  nervous  irritation 
which  prevails  in  the  habitual  drunkard.  This  enables  him 
to  exert  a  greater  moral  power  than  he  could  before,  and  at 
least  gives  him  time  for  reflection,  free  from  the  craving  for 
for  alcoholic  stimulants.  Of  course  it  is  not  meant  that  the 
waters  are  a  sure  cure  for  absolute  or  threatened  inebriation, 
but  that  a  proper  and  continuous  use  of  them  will  be  a, 
valuable  aid  in  returning  to  sobriety. 

In  that  enfeebled,  susceptible  and  very  peculiar  condition 
of  the  the  system,  often  found  to  exist  as  the  result  of  a  long 
continued  or  injudicious  use  of  mercury,  and  in  what  is  com 
monly  known  as  the  Secondary  form  of  Venereal  Disease,  the 
White  Sulphur  water,  when  carried  to  its  full  alterative 
effects,  displays  its  highest  curative  powers.  A  long  experi 
ence  in  the  use  of  the  water,  in  the  peculiar  forms  of  disease 
under  consideration,  causes  me  not  to  hesitate  to  name  these 
as  the  diseases  in  which  they  are  most  certainly  efficacious. 
The  water'  in  such  cases,,  exerts  a  specific  effect,  and  more 
certainly  brings  relief  to  the  sufferer  than  any  other  agency. 
I  have  no  hesitancy  in  saying  to  those  who  are  so  unfortunate 
as  to  be  subjects  of  the  disease  in  question,  that  they  have  in 
these  waters,  when  properly  and  fully  used,  in  connection  with 
warm  and  hot  sulphur  baths,  a  reasonable  hope  of  permanent 
cure,  which  they  cannot  have  from  the  u^e  of  any  other  remedy 
known  to  the  profession. 

BATHS  AT  THE  WHITE  SULPHUR. 

Warm  and  hot  bathing,  especially  in  highly  medicated 
waters,  is  a  remedy  of  leading  importance,  in  a  large  number 
of  the  cases  which  resort  to  mineral  waters  for  relief.  The 
water  used  for  bathing  at  the  White  Sulphur,  flows  from  the 
spring  from  which  the  visitors  drink,  and  no  other  waters  in 
America,  used  for  bathing,  except  the  Washita  Springs,  in 
Arkansas,  are  more  highly  impregnated  with  mineral  salts. 
These  baths,  in  connection  with  the  drinking  of  the  sulphur 
waters,  although  not  required  in  every  case,  are  a  matter  of 
the  utmost  importance,  in  a  large  number  of  cases,  in  aiding 
to  produce  the  best  effects  of  the  waters. 

The  bathing-house  is  large,  affording  ample  accommodations 
for  the  bathers.  The  bathing-rooms  are  spacious,  airy,  and 
comfortable,  and  in  addition  to  the  usual  tub-baths,  they  have 


RESOURCES   OF   WEST   VIRGINIA. 

erected  douche  baths,  for  the  application  of  hot  or  warm  water 
to  local  parts  of  the  body,  and  have  set  apart  rooms  arranged 
for  sweating-l>a.ihs.  The  water  is  heated  by  steam  in  the  ves 
sel  in  which  it  is  used,  and  the  heat  is  never  so  great  as  to 
cause  any  precipitation,  and  loss  of  the  solid  contents.  Hence 
they  are  left  in  their  natural  suspension  in  the  water,  to 
exert  their  specific  effect  upon  the  bather.  Steam  may  also 
be  let  from  time  to  time  into  the  tub,  so  as  to  keep  up 
the  temperature  during  the  entire  period  of  bathing,  a  matter 
of  no  small  importance. 

THE    BED     SULPHUR  SPRINGS, 

In  the  county  of  Monroe  40  miles  south  from  the  White 
Sulphur,  have  been  known  and  distinguished  as  a  watering 
place  for  more  than  60  years.  The  water  of  the  spring  is 
clear  and  cool,  having  the  temperature  of  54°  Fah.  The  fol 
lowing  is  Prof.  Rogers'  analysis  of  this  spring  : 
Gaseous  contents  in  an  Imperial  GaMon: 

Sulphuretted   Hydrogen 4.54  cubic  inches. 

Carbonic   Acid 8.75 

Nitrogen  4.25 

Solid  contents  in  32  cubic  inches  oj  witter,  1.25  grains,  consist 
ing  of  sulphate  of  soda,  lime,  and  magnesia,  carbonate  of 
lime,  and  chloride  of  sodium.  Besides  these  ingredients,  the 
water  contains  in  considerable  quantity,  a  peculiar  organic 
substance,  mingled  with  sulphur,  which  is  deposited  on  the 
sides  ef  the  spring,  and  seems  to  increase  by  a  species  of 
organic  growth. 

These  springs  have,  for  many  years,  had  a  high  reputation  in. 
the  treatment  of  various  diseases  of  the  lungs,  as  well  as  lor 
many  other  diseases,  for  which  the  milder  sulphur  waters  have 
been  advantageously  employed. 

THE    SALT    SULPHUR  SPIRNGS. 

Near  Union,  in  Monroe  county,  afford  a  valuable  mineral  water. 
They  were  largely  visited  for  many  years,  especial!}'  by  South-1 
ern  people.  The  improvements  here  are  large  and  comfortable, 
but  for  several  years  have  not  been  opened  to  visitors.  The 
lollowing  is  the  analysis  of  the  water,  furnished  by  Prof.  Wm, 
B.  Rogers : 

Temperature,  variable,  from  49°  to  56'". 


RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA. 

Solid  matter  procured  by  evaporating  100  cubic  inches  of 
the  water,  and  drying  at  212°  :— 81. 44  grains. 

Quantity  of  each  solid  ingredient  in  100  cubic  inches,  esti 
mated  as  perfectly  free  from  water  : 

Sulphate   of  Lime 36.755  grains. 

"  Magnesia '.    7.883       " 

"  Soda 9,682       " 

Carbonate  of  Lime 4445       " 

"    Magnesia 1.434       " 

Chloride  of  Magnesium 0.116      " 

"        "  Sodium 0.683      " 

"  Calcium 0.025       " 

Peroxide   of  Iron  from  Protosulphate 0042       " 

Azotized  Organic  Matter 0.004      " 

Earthy  Phosphates trace. 

Iodine trace. 

Volume  of  each  gas  contained,  in  a  free  state,  in  100  cubic 
inches  : 

Sulphuretted  Hydrogen 1.10  to  1.50  cubic  inches. 

Nitrogen 2.05 

Oxygen 0.27  " 

Carbonic  Acid 5.75 

In  addition  to  the  springs  already  mentioned,  there  arc  in 
various  parts  of  the  State,  indeed  in  every  great  section  of  it, 
mineral  fountains  that  are  well  worthy  of  public  attention. 
Among  these  are  the  Blue  Sulphur  springs  in  Greenbrier  county, 
once  a  place  of  much  resort  and  an  excellent  mineral  water, 
and  Guinn' s  Spring,  in  Fayette  county,  near  the  mouth  of  Lick 
creek.  This  has  bean  but  little  tested,  and  not  at  all  chemi 
cally.  It  is  evidently  a  sulphur  water  of  excellent  promise. 
There  is  also' a  spring  in  the  vicinity  of  Parkersburg,  now 
attracting  considerable  attention,  of  which  I  know  too  little, 
either  therapeutically  or  chemically,  to  attempt  a  description, 
but  it  is  favorably  regarded  by  many  persons. 

Besides  the  springs  mentioned  by  Dr.  Moorman,  in  the  above 
paper,  we  may  note  here,  two  additional  ones.  The  first  of 
the^e  is  the  Hardy  \Vfiite  Sulphur  Spring,  situated  at  the  east 
base  of  the  South  Branch  mountain,  14  miles  south  of  Moore- 
field.  This  is  a  white  sulphur,  forming  a  deposit  of  snowy 
whiteness.  No  analysis  has  been  made  of  it,  but  carbonic  acid 
escapes  from  it  continually.  •  The  temperature  in  summer  is 
50°  Fah.,  and  in  winter  48°.  The  flow  is  65  gallonsjper  hour. 


334  RESOURCES    OF    WEST    VIRGINIA. 

It  has  baen  a  place  of  resort  for  45  years,  and  its  medicinal 
qualities  well  established.  It  is  anti-acid,  and  diuretic,  and 
tonic,  and  in  diseases  arising  from  a  disordered  liver,  its  cura 
tive  effects  are  well  marked.— [Thos!  Maslin.]  The  second 
spring  to  be  noted,  is  the  Magnesia  Spring,  on  Howard's  creek, 
near  the  White  Sulphur  in  Greenbrier.  The  following  analy 
sis  of  it  is  by  Dr.  Aiken,  of  Baltimore,  Md. 

Solid  contents  in  one  imperial  gallon  : 

Carbonate  of  Lime 22.367  grains 

Carbonate,  of  Magnesia 11.160      " 

Carbonate  of  Iron 0.320      " 

Sulphate  of  Lime 21.010      " 

Sulphate  of  Magnesia 12.060      " 

Sulphateof  Potasium 1.460      " 

Sulphate  of  Soda 1.201      " 

Sulphateof  Ammonia 0.179      " 

Organic  Matter Trace. 

Chloride  of  Sodium 1.260      " 

Chloride  of  Potasium 1.742      " 

Silica 0.860      " 

Iodine Trace. 

Lithia Trace. 

Bromine Trace. 

Loss 0.43 

Specific  gravity i 1.0004 

This  is  a  new  spring,  and  we  have  no  report  of  its  thera 
peutic  effects. 

The  following  analysis  of  the  Parkersburg  Mineral  Wells 
was  furnished  by  Rezin  P.  Davis,  M.  D.,  to  the  owner  of  the 
wells : 

One  quart  of  water  contains  : — 

Carbonic  acid  gas 16  cubic  inches 

Sulphate  of  Magnesia 10  grains. 

Sulphateof  Soda 24      " 

Sulphate  of  Iron 4      u 

Chloride  of  Lime 41 

Carbonate  of  Soda 4     " 

Iodine  ...  ..  Trace. 


CHAPTER   XV. 
TRANSPORTATION, 

BY  M.    F.    MAURY. 

With  mineral  riches  of  so  vast  an  extent,  with  forests  of 
such  magnificent  size,  with  soils  of  such  fertility,  and  with  so 
many  other  natural  advantages  as  have  been  shown  in  the 
preceding  chapters,  the  question  naturally  arises,  Why,  if 
these  things  be  true,  are  the  resources  of  West  Virginia  so 
little  developed?  The  answer  is  readily  given  when  we  exam 
ine  the  lack  of  railroads  within  our  borders. 

Before  the  western  country  along  the  Ohio  river  sprang  up, 
with  its  mighty  power  of  population,  manufactures  and  wealth 
the  main  markets  of  the  Union  were  in  the  seaboard  States, 
bordering  the  Atlantic,  and  all  trade  tended  to  them.  Conse 
quently  the  inauguration  of  public  improvements  were 
around  these  business  centers,  and,  tending  to  bring  them  into 
closer  communication,  were  made  north  and  south,  the  west 
ern  connections  being  built  but  slowly;  so  that  1861  saw  but 
one  company  that  had  built  an  east  and  west  line  through 
West  Virginia,  and,  now,  that,  with  its  western  feeders,  does  a 
heavier  freight  business  than  almost  any  road  in  the  United 
States.  Up  to  1861,  Old  Virginia,  which  then  stretched  from 
the  Atlantic  to  the  Ohio,  fostered  the  railroads  centering 
arouiid  the  eastern  cities,  and  western  connections,  though 
projected,  were  not  pushed,  and  the  beginning  of  the  war 
showed  only  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  railroad,  a  foreign  cor 
poration,  and  one  that  carried  trade  to  northern  centers,  and 
away  from  her  seaports  completed.  During  the  sectional 
struggle  of  four  years,  no  improvements  were  made,  and  it 


336  RESOURCES   OF   WEST   VIRGINIA. 

was  not  until  1872  that  the  southern  portion  of  the  State  had 
any  rail  communication  with  markets. 

There  is  another  reason  why  we  were  passed  over,  viz.:  Our 
population  was  comparatively  smalj,  and  possessed  nothing 
that  was  not  found  more  or  less  abundantly  elsewhere,  and  the 
Alleghany  mountains  on  the  eastern  borders  were  generally 
looked  upon  as  a  very  awkward  barrier  to  be  overcome  in  rail 
roading.  The  knowledge  concerning  our  mineral  riches  in 
the  money  centers,  was  vague  and  uncertain,  and  the  existing 
lines  in  Pennsylvania  passed  through  coal  fields  that  could 
fill  all  demands.  No  north  and  south  lines  were  built,  simply 
because  there  were  no  great  commercial  cities  to  be  connected 
by  them,  while  the  products  along  such  lines  would  have  gone 
into  markets,  with  railroad  charges  on  them,  to  compete  with 
articles  that  already  existed  in  great  profusion  around  the 
termini. 

But  this  state  of  things  can  no  longer  remain  so.  The 
trade  of  the  west  has  become  so  great,  and  its  surplus  pro- 
ducts,  that  find  their  best  markets  in  Europe,  and  other  por 
tions  of  the  world,  have  become  so  vast  that  they  call  for  new 
routes  to  the  seaports.  The  Alleghanies  on  our  eastern  bor 
der  have  been  shown  not  to  be  the  barrier  supposed,  for  the 
Baltimore  and  Ohio  railroad  runs  over  their  summits,  and  the 
Chesapeake  and  Ohio  railroad  passes  them  with  grades  of  only 
30  feet  per  mile,  while  other  roads,  already  surveyed,  show  most 
practicable  and  feasible  routes.  Those  now  in  operation  have 
placed  our  coals  in  eastern  markets,  where  they  always  equal, 
and  sometimes  outrank,  the  best  of  the  United  States  ;  iron 
ores  of  good  quality  and  in  vast  deposits  have  been  well" 
proven,  while  in  every  portion  of  the  State  streams  have  cut 
the  roadbeds,  so  that  lateral  branches  can  be  run  up  innu 
merable  creeks  to  furnish  a  vast  tonnage  for  the  main  trunk 
lines,  and  an  enormous  ireight  traffic  can  be  looked  for  in  local 
business  in  carrying  coal  to  iron,  and  iroa  to  coal,  and  then 
transporting  the  results  of  the  manufactuie. 

In  fact,  though  there  can  be  no  question  that  this  lack  of 
of  transportation  has  been  of  great  disadvantage  in  the  past, 
and  still  is  at  the  present,  yet  it  has  its  compensatory  advan 
tages  for  the  future,  as  it  has  left  the  riches  of  this  State  un 
touched,  while  all  the  country  around  was  being  developed 


RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA.  337 

and  new  markets  constantly  created — every  year  growing 
larger.  Formerly  we  would,  in  common  with  the  other  States, 
have  looked  to  the  eastern  trade  alone,  but  now  we  are  sur 
rounded  on  the  west,  north,  and  east,  by  immense  and  ever 
consuming  centres,  that  have  been  changed  from  producers 
and  competitors  into  consumers  and  customers,  and  many  an 
item  of  wealth  that  would,  heretofore,  on  account  of  lack  of 
demand  or  low  price,  have  been  used  or  prepared  for  market, 
in  the  most  wasteful  manner,  and  have  been  a  positive  loss  to 
our  ultimate  prosperity,  now  becomes  a  source  of  revenue  and 
wealth.  Hence,  West  Virginia  occupies  the  enviable  position 
of  being  a  "  new  country"  with  all  the  advantages  of  an  "old 
one,"  in  being  surrounded  with  counsumers  for  every  article 
that  it  can  supply,  ar.d  this  fact  alone  should  attract  no  little 
attention  from  the  miner,  lumberman,  agriculturist,  mechanic 
and  laborer. 

The  following  are  the  transportation  companies  now  in 
operation : 

Baltimore  and  Ohio  Railroad — runs  through  the  northern  por 
tion  of  the  State,  having  Baltimore  as  its  eastern  terminus 
and  passing  through  the  counties  of  Jefferson,  Berkley,  Mor 
gan,  Hampshire,  Mineral,  Preston,  Taylor,  Marion,  Wetzel, 
Marshall,  and  part  of  Ohio,  connecting  the  towns  of  Harper's 
Ferry,  Martinsburg,  Keyser,  Piedmont,  Rowlesburg,  Graft-on, 
Fairmont,  Moundsville  and  Wheeling.  A  branch  leaves  the 
main  road  at  Grafton,  in  Taylor  county,  and  passes  through 
the  counties  of  Harrison,  Doddridge,  Ritchie  and  Wood,  to 
Parkersburg  on  the  Ohio  river.  Besides  its  termini,  the  main 
towns  on  it  are  Clarksburg,  West  Union  and  Cairo. 

Pennsboro  &  Harrisville  Railroad,  leaves  the  Parkersburg 
Branch  of  the  Bait.  &  Ohio  R.  R.  at  Pennsboro,  in  Ritchie 
county,  and  runs  about  14  miles  to  Harrisville,  in  same  coun 
ty.  It  was  built  to  accommodate  the  timber  interests  of  this 
section. 

Chesapeake  &  Ohio  Railroad. — In  the  southern  part  of  the 
State  with  its  eastern  terminus  on  tide-water  at  Richmond, 
Va.,  and  its  western  at  Huntington,  on  the  Ohio  river.  It 
passes  through  the  counties  of  Greenbrier  Monroe,  Summers, 
Fayette,  Kanawha,  Putnam,  and  Cabell,  having,  as  its  princi 
pal  stations,  the  White  Sulphur  Springs,  Lewisburg,  with 
43 


338  RESOURCES  OF    WEST  VIRGINIA. 

Ronceverte  as  the  depot,  3  miles  distant ;  Quinnimont  Fur* 
nace,  Kanawha  Falls,  Coalburg,  Charleston,  Saint  Albans, 
Barboursville,  and  Huntington,  whence  it  is  160  miles  by 
the  Ohio  river  to  Cincinnati. 

Martinsburg  &  Potomac  Railroad.— JLu  West  Virginia  this  road 
is  altogether  in  Berkeley  county.  It  runs  from  the  Baltimore 
and  Ohio  R.  R.,  at  Martinsburg,  to  Hagerstown  in  Maryland. 
Pittsburgh,  Cincinnati  &  St.  Louis  Railroad. — This  road  crosses 
the  Ohio  river  at  Steubenville  and  passes  across  the  Panhan 
dle  in  Brooke  county,  touching  Hancock  county  at  Holliday's 
Cove. 

Pitklmrgh,  Wheeling  <£  Baltimore  Railroad. — Runs  from  Wheel 
ing  to  Washington  in  Pennsylvania,  where  it  has  connections 
with  Pittsburgh.  In  West  Virginia  it  is  altogether  in  Ohio 
county.  When  completed  through  to  Baltimore,  it  will  be 
shorter  than  of  any  existing  line  between  Cincinnati  and 
the  seaboard,  and  will  be  used  by  the  Bait,  &  Ohio  R.  R.  as 
their  quick  passenger  route. 

Valley  Railroad.— Passes  from  the  Bait.  &  Ohio  R.  R.  at  Har 
per's  Ferry,  southward  through  Jefferson  county,  and  into 
Virginia  to  the  Chesapeake  &  Ohio  R.  R.  at  Staunton. 

To  show  the  interest  that  is  being  attracted  to  and  mani 
fested  in  the  deveiopement  of  this  State,  the  following  is  a  list 
of  the  charters  that  have  been  granted,  and  still  exist,  within 
our  borders  since  1867,  though  it  is  proper  to  remark,  that  t.he 
construction  of  some  of  the  roads  are  in  the  distant  future. 

Blue  Stone  Mining  Railroad  Company. — To  construct  a  rail 
road  up  the  Blue  Stone  river  in  Summers  and  Mercer  counties, 
for  the  development  of  the  minerals. 

BucJchannon  Mineral  Railroad  Company. — To  construct  a  rail 
road  from  some  point  on  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  Railroad/ 
between  Clarksburg  and  Grafton,  to  Buckhannon,  in  Upshur 
county. 

Coal  River  Railroad  Company. — To  build  a  railroad  from  Saint 
Albans,  in  Kanawha  county,  up  Coal  river  to  the  juncture  of 
the  Marsh  and  Clear  Forks,  in  Raleigh  county,  to  have  a 
branch  running  up  Little  Coal  river  to  Boone  Court  House. 
Objects  :  To  develop  the  mineral  and  timber  resources  of  Coal 
river. 


RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA.  339 

Cumberland^  Moorefield  and  Broadway  Railroad  Company. — To 
build  a  railrood  from  a  point  in  Mineral  county  opposite  Cum 
berland,  to  Moorefield,  in  Hardy  county,  thence  to  Petersburg, 
in  Grant  county,  and  thence  to  the  State  line  near  Monterey, 
in  Highland  count}7,  Virginia. 

Gaidey  River  Railroad  Company. — -To  build  a  railroad  from 
the  mouth  to  the  head  of  Gauley  river,  passing  through 
Fayette,  Nicholas,  and  Webster,  into  Pocahontas.  Objects : 
To  develop  the  mineral  and  timber  resources  of  Gauley  river. 

Guyandotte  Railroad  Company.— rto  build  a  railroad  from  the 
Chesapeake  and  Ohio  Railroad,  at  Huntington,  to  Cabell  Court 
House  (Barbournville),  and  thence  on  up  the  Guyandotte  river 
into  Logan  county.  Objects :  To  develope  the  mineral  and 
timber  resources  of  the  Guyandotte  river. 

Guyandotte  and  Ohio  River  Railroad,  and  Mineral.  Company. 
— To  build  a  railroad  from  some  point  in  Logan  county,  on 
Guyandotte  river,' above  Dusenbury  Mill,  to  the  Ohio  river,  be 
tween  the  mouths  of  Four  Pole  and  Seven  Mile  creeks.  Ob 
jects  :  The  same  as  the  last. 

Hartford,  Mason  and  Clifton  Railroad. — To  extend  along  the 
Ohio  river,  in  Mason  county,  to  connect  the  three  towns  named 
in  the  title. 

Iron  Valley  and  Pennsylvania  Line  Railroad  Company. — To 
build  a  railroad  from  where  Big  Sandy  creek  crosses  the 
Pennsylvania  line,  via  Brandonville,  Bruceton  Mills,  Muddy 
Creek  Furnace,  valley  of  Green's  Run,  and  Martin  Iron  Works, 
to  a  point  on  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  Railroad.  Altogether 
in  Preston  county. 

Mud  River  Railroad  Company.- — To  a  build  a  railroad  from 
Milton  Station  on  the  Chesapeake  and  Ohio  Railroad,  in  Cabell 
county,  up  Mud  river  to  the  mouth  of  LTpton  creek,  in  Lincoln 
county,  and  thence  crossing  to  Big  Ugly  creek,  and  down  that 
stream  to  the  Guyandotte  river,  in  Logan  county.  Objects : 
To  develop  the  mineral  and  timber  resources  along  its  line. 

New  River  Railroad,  Mining  and  Manufacturing  Company. — - 
To  build  a  railroad  from  the  Chesapeake  and  Ohio  Railroad, 
at  the  mouth  of  Greenbrier  river,  up  New  river  to  the  State  line. 

North  Branch  Railroad  Company. — To  build  a  railroad  from  a 
point  on  the  Baltimore  arid  Ohio  Railroad,  between  Piedmont 


340  RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA. 

and  Bloomiiigton  Ridge,  south  to  a  point  on  the  Chesapeake 
and  Ohio  Railroad. 

Northern  and  Southern  West  Virginia  Railroad  Company. — 
To  build  a  railroad  from  the  Pennsylvania  line,  in  Monongalia 
county,  via  Morgantown,  Fairmont,  Clarksburg,  Weston,  and 
Charleston,  to  some  p:>int  on  the  Kentucky  line,  in  Wayne 
county.  This  is  a  most  important  line,  being,  as  its  name  im 
plies,  a  north  and  south  ore,  and  passing  through  the  center 
of  the  State,  developing  enormous  mineral  and  timber  inter 
ests  throughout  its  whole  route. 

Ohio  River  and  Wayne  County  Mineral  Railroad  Company. — 
To  build  a  railroad  from  any  point  on  the  Ohio  river,  in 
Wayne  county,  to  the  mineral  lands  in  Wayne  and  Lincoln 
counties. 

Paint  Creek  Railroad  Company. — To  build  a  railroad  from 
the  C.  &  0.  R.  R.  at  the  mouth  of  Paint  creek,  up  that 
stream,  in  Kanawha  and  Fayette  counties.  Objects  :  To  de 
velop  the  coal  interests  of  Paint  creek. 

Pittsburgh,  Wheeling  and  Kentucky  Railroad. — To  connect  with 
the  Pittsburgh,  Cincinnati  and  St.  Louis  railroad,  at  Holli- 
day's  Cove,  in  Hancock  county,  and  thence  to  pa^-s  down  the 
Ohio  river  to  Wheeling,  and  thence  on  to  the  Kentucky  line, 
ultimately  to  connect  with  the  Texas  Pacific  railroad.  This  is 
another  very  important  north  and  south  line,  as  it  would 
develop  all  the  Ohio  river  counties.  The  road  bed  is  already 
graded  as  far  south  as  Wheeling. 

Potomac  and  Ohio  Railroad  Company. — To  build  a  railroad 
from  near  Harper's  Ferry,  in  Jefferson  county,  to  the  Ohio 
river,  via  the  SouthBranch  Valley,  in  Hampshire,  Hardy  and 
Grant  counties. 

RipUy  and  Ohio  Narrow  Gauge  Railroad  Company. — To  build 
a  railroad  in  Jackson  county,  from  Ripley,  down  Mill  creek 
to  the  Ohio. 

Steer  Creek  Valley  and  Elk  River  Railroad  Company. — To  build  a 
railroad  from  the  mouth  of  Steer  creek,  in  Calhoun  county,  to 
some  point  on  Elk  river,  in  Braxton  county,  between  Little 
Otter  and  Duck  creeks. 

tihcnandoah and  Ohio  Railroad  Company. — To  build  a  railroad 
irom  the  Virginia  line,  in  Pendleton  county,  on  the  east,  to 


RESOURCES    OF    WEST    VIRGINIA.  341 

Parkersburg,  on  the  Ohio  river,  on  the  west.    This  will  traverse 
the  whole   State  through  a  most  valuable  mineral  country. 

South  Branch  Railroad  Company. — To  build  a  railroad  in 
Hampshire  county,  from  Romney  to  the  Baltimore  <C*  Ohio  Rail 
road.  This  is  partially  built. 

Tug  River  Railroad  Company.-r-'Fo  build  a  railroad  from  the 
Ohio  river,  up  Big  Sandy  river  and  Tug  Fork  thereof,  into 
Logan  county,  to  a  point  opposite  Lonsville,  in  Pike  county, 
Kentucky.     Object :    to   develop  the  mineral  and  timber  re 
sources  of  Big  Sandy  river. 

Union  and  Greenbrier  River  Turnpike  and  Railroad  Company. 
— To  build  a  railroad  from  Union,  in  Monroe  county,  to  some 
point  on  the  C.  &  O.  Railroad,  on  Greenbrier  river. 

Washington  and  Ohio  Railroad  Company. — This  is  a  very  im 
portant  projected  east  and  west  line  in  the  State,  as  it  passes 
through  the  rich  coal,  iron,  timber  and  agricultural  region  ly 
ing  between  the  Baltimore  &  Ohio  Railroad  on  the  north, 
and  the  C.  &  0.  Railroad  on  the  south.  It  begins  at  Alexan 
dria,  in  Virginia,  on  the  Potomac,  and  the  first  51 J  miles  are 
completed.  It  will  pass  through  Winchester,  and  enter  West 
Virginia  in  Hampshire  county,  and  thence,  according  to  the 
route  laid  down  on  the  map  of  West  Virginia,  will  run  through 
Hardy,  Grant,  Tucker,  Randolph,  Upshur,  Lewis,  Gilmer,  Cal- 
houn,  Roane,  Jackson,  and  Mason  counties,  to  the  Ohio  river, 
at  Point  Pheasant. 

West  Virginia  Railroad  Company.' — Beginning  at  or  near  the 
mouth  of  the  Big  Sandy  river,  in  Wayne  county,  their  rail 
road  runs  thence  in  an  easterly  direction  to  the  Kanawha 
river,  nt-ar  St.  Albans,  in  Kanawha  county,  thence  to  Charles 
ton,  at  the  mouth  of  Elk  river,  thence  up  that  stream  for  150 
miles,  thence  northeasterly  to  the  South  Branch  of  the  Poto 
mac,  and  thence  down  the  same  to  its  mouth,  passing  through 
the  counties  of  Wayne,  Cabell,  Putnam,  Kanawha,  Clay,  Brax- 
ton,  Webster,  Randolph,  Pendleton,  Grant,  Hardy,  Hampshire 
and  Morgan. 

West  Virginia  Central  Railroad  Company.-—  From  Charleston, 
their  railroad  runs  up  the  Kanawha,  thence  up  Gauley  to  its 
head,  ad  thence  through  Pocahontas  county  to  Harrisonburg, 
in  Virginia,  passing  through  the  counties  of  Kanawha,  Fay- 
ette,  Nicholas,  Webster,  and  Pocahontas. 


342  RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA. 

West  Fork  and  V/eston  Railroad  Company. — Their  railroad 
runs  from  Weston,  in  Lewis  county,  to  Clarksburg,  in  Har 
rison  county. 

West  Virginia  Division  of  the  People*  Freight  Railroad  Company. 
— Their  railroad  runs  from  the  Ohio  river,  between  Short  and 
Buffalo  creeks  to  where  the  State  line  crosses  the  latter,  in 
Brooke  county. 

RIVERS. 

The  Ohio  River  forms  the  western  boundary  of  the  State  for 
some  300  miles,  and  washes  the  counties  of  Hancock,  Brooke, 
Ohio,  Marshall,  Wetzel,  Tyler,  Pleasants,Wood,  Jackson,  Mason, 
Cabell,  and  Wayne.  Daily,  weekly  and  tri-weekly  steamers 
from  Wheeling  to  Marietta,  Parkersburg  and  Cincinnati,  and 
mail  boats  from  Parkersburg  to  Charleston,  on  the  Kanawha, 
keep  up  constant  communication  between  all  the  river  land 
ings  in  West  Virginia,  and  the  great  markets  in  the  adjoin 
ing  States.  There  are  also  daily  lines  connecting  with  the 
C.  &  O.  R.  R.,  from  Huntington  to  Cincinnati,  and  regular 
lines  ply  from  Pittsburgh  to  Cincinnati,  stopping  at  all  West 
Virginia  landings. 

It  is  open  to  navigation,  with  but  r<are  exceptions  from  ice 
and  low  water,  all  the  year  round. 

Great  Kanavtha  River — Is  navigable  all  the  year  round,  except 
in  exceptional  cases,  when,  navigation  is  impeded  by  ice,  from 
the  Ohio  lo  Brownstown,  a  distance  of  70  miles.  In  a  good 
stage  of  water  we  can  go  up  to  Loup  creek,  22  miles  higher. 
In  low  water  only  the  smaller  classes  of  boats  can  run.  In 
order  to  give  the  enormous  mineral  interests  of  this  stream,  a 
free  exit  to  the  Ohio  all  the  year,  the  United  States  Govern, 
ment  is  now  locking  and  damming  it  so  that  6  feet  of  water  can 
always  be  expected.  From  Maiden,  6  miles  above  Charleston, 
there  is  a  weekly  line  of  beats  to  Cincinnati,  and  a  daily  line 
to  Gailipolis,  on  the  Ohio,  and  tri-weekly  connections  with 
Parkersburg  and  Cincinnati  packets. 

Little  KanawJm  River — Is  locked  and  dammed  to  Elizabeth,  in 
Wirt  county,  and  on  good  water  steamboats  pass  up  daily  to 
Burning  Springs,  38  miles  from  Parkersburg,  on  the  Ohio 
river,  and  even  to  Grants ville,  Calhoun  county.  The  work  is 
done  by  the  Little  Kanawha  Navigation  Company,  and  will 
tend  much  to  foster  the  rich  timber  and  oil  resources,  etc.,  of 
this  important  portion  of  our  State. 


RESOURCES   OF    WEST   VIRGINIA*  343 

The  Mononghelia  River,  in  Monongalia  county,  is  navigable 
on  good  water  to  Morgantown,  and  in  exceptional  cases  steam 
ers  have  gone  as  far  up  as  Fairmont,  in  Marion  .county.  The 
United  States  Government  are  now  locking  and  damming  this 
stream  as  far  as  Morgan  tow  o,  and  steps  are  being  taken  for  an 
appropriation  to  carry  the  work  on  to  Fairmont,  so  as  to  give 
the  important  coal  interests  of  Marion  and  southern  Monon 
galia  a  cheap  water  exit  to  the  western  markets. 

Big  Coal  River — In  Kanawha  and  Boone  counties,  is  im 
proved  by  locks  and  dams  by  the  Coal  River  Navigation  Com 
pany  to  the  Peytona  Mines,  35  miles  above  its  mouth.  Many 
years  ago  Little  Coal  river,  a  branch  of  Big  Coal,  was  locked 
and  dammed  for  the  first  few  miles  for  the  accommodation  of 
the  Marae  Mining  Company,  but  the  workshavenow  gone  to 
ruin,  owing  to  the  suspension  of  the  mines.  This  stream 
could  be  improved  as.  high  as  Boone  court-house,  which  is 
.some  40  miles  from  the  Kanawha, 

Big  Sandy  River — Which  divides  West  Virginia  from  Ken 
tucky,  is  usually  navigable  to  Louisa,  and  in  good  water  many 
miles  above. 

The  Chesapeake  &  Ohio  Canal. — Though  this  is  nowhere  with 
in  the  borders  of  the  State,  yet,  as  it  is  largely  used  by  the 
citizens  of  the  eastern  counties,  it  may  be  looked  upon  as  one 
of  the  transportation  lines  of  West  Virginia.  It  extends  from 
Cumberland  to  Georgetown,  and  follows  the  West  Virginia 
line,  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  Potomac  river,  from  the  first 
named  place  to  Harper's  Ferry,  a  distance  of  over  100  miles. 
The  counties  that  are  opposite  to  it  are  Mineral,  Hampshire, 
Morgan,  Berkely.  and  Jefferson.  Before  the  completion  of  the 
Bait.  &  Ohio  R.  R.,  Cumberland  was  the  great  connecting 
point  for  all  goods  from  the  western  country  to  the  eastern 
markets  and  vice  versa. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  other  streams  that  have  con 
templated  improvements,  as  shown  by  the  charters  to  naviga 
tion  companies.  % 

Grcenbrier  River. — The  St.  Lawrence  Boom  and  Manufactur 
ing  Company,  whose  boom  and  saw  mills  are  at  Ronceverte, 
Greenbrier  county,  have  a  charter  to  improve  the  navigation 
of  this  stream.  The  work  so  far  done  has  been  to  remove  the 


344  RESOURCES  OF  WEST  VIRGINIA. 

obstructions  to  the  lumber  business,  so  that  logs  can  conie 
down  freely. 

New  River.— -The  Greenbrier,  New,  and  Kanawha  rivers,  is 
the  intended  route  for  the  James  River  and  Kanawha  Canal 
from  Richmond,  Va.,  to  the  Ohio  river.  The  gap  still  left  for 
completion,  between  this  last  point  and  Buchanan,  on  the 
James  river  in  Virginia,  is  207  miles.  As  regards  its  chances 
for  completion,  the  following  letter  from  Commodore  M.  F. 
Maury,  who  will  readily  be  admitted  as  an  authority  of  the 
highest  standing,  is  very  interesting. 

VIRGINIA  MILITARY  INSTITUTE      J 
LEXINGTON,  6th  July,  1872. ) 
COL.  R.L  MAURY, 

MY  DEAR  SIR  : — You  ask  my  opinion  as  to  "the  probabili 
ties  of  completing  the  James  River  and  Kanawha  Canal."  I 
think  them  not  only  reasonable  but  proximate,  and  any  one 
who  will  make  himself  acquainted  with  that  work,  who  will- 
consider  the  rapidly  increasing  population  and  production,  the 
growing  wealth  and  political  power  of  the  West,  and  who  will 
then  consider  what  has  been  done  with  regard  to  it,  will  be 
very  apt  to  come  to  a  like  conclusion. 

That  work  was  commenced  more  than  a  generation  ago  by 
the  State  of  Virginia.  After  reaching  the  eastern  base  of  the 
Allegheny  rhountains,  the  work,  owing  to  difficulties  of 
various  sorts,  and  the  absence  of  appropriations  and  the  exigen 
cies  of  war  amongst  them,  was  suspended. 

During  this  long  suspension,  the  public  mind  was  with 
drawn  from  this  canal  and  given  to  things  of  more  absorbing 
interest.  But  that  attention  was  recalled  to  it  by  "Report 
No.  1.  Physical  Survey  of  Virginia"  *  *  *  *  * 

Look  at  the  map  and  you  will  see  that  Virginia  is  as  the 
keystone  to  the  arch  of  States  that  border  on  the  Atlantic 
Ocean.  She  has  the  best  harbor  of  the  coast,  is  midway  be 
tween  the  Northern  and  Southern  extremes,  and  offers  the 
shortest  and  best  passage  that  can  be  found  for  commerce  be 
tween  the  Atlantic  seabord  and  the  chief  centres  of  the  Mis 
sissippi  Valley,  such  as  Cincinnati,  Louisville,  St.  Louis,  St. 
Paul,  and  even  Chicago,  on  the  lakes;  for,  if  you  will  take 
the  the  trouble  to  measure,  you  will  see  that  by  opening  these 


OF   WEST   VIRGINIA.  345 

routes,  they  will  bring  the  Capes  of  Virginia  and  the  sea,  near 
er  to  Chicago  than  Sand  v  Book  now  is. 

The  Government  in  Washington,  impresssd  with  these  facts, 
sent  out  their  corps  of  engineers  to  examine  the  ground  and 
see  if  a  practicable  route  for  the  canal  can  be  found,  and  they 
have  found  it,  for  it  was  well  known  to  exist.  And  in  antic 
ipation  of  this  canal,  Congress  and  the  city  of  Richmond,  as  if 
to  prepare  for  it  have  moved  in  the  matter  andare  now  spend 
ing  large  sums  of  money  upon  the  improvement  of  James  Riv 
er.  They  aim  ultimately  to  give  this  river  18  feet  of  wafer 
from  the  cifcy  to  the  sea,  and  by  so  doing  to  bring  the  seaport 
of  the  great  West  100  miles  up  into  the  interior;  and  then  by 
opening  docks  for  its  shipping,  they  expect  to,  establish  that 
port  at  Richmond.  *  *  * 

For  my  part,  content  to  wait  and  watch,  I  look  upon  a  canal 
from  the  James  river  at  Richmond  to  the  "fairway"  of  the  Kan- 
awha  River,  as  a  thing  that  muit  be.  There  is  no  event  of  the 
future  that  falls  not  in  the  "order  of  nature."  but  which  de 
pends  upon  the  accidents  of  time  and  circumstances,  the  coming 
of  which  E  regard  as  more  certain  than  the  completion,  sooner 
or  later,  of  this  canal.  It  is  a  work  of  transcendent  importance 
and  must  be  built.  Your  truly, 

M.  F.  MAURY. 

Gauley  River — In  IS'72  a  charter  was  granted  the  Gauley 
River  Improvement  Manufacturing,  Mining  and  Lumber  Co. 
giving  it  the  exclusive  privilege  of  improving  the  river  by  re 
moving  obstructions  to  the  navigation,  and  by  constructing 
dams  by  cutting  a  canal  or  by  sluices.  So  far  the  only  work 
done  has  been  to  improve  the  navigation  so  that  lo^s  can  come 
down  freely  from  Peters  creek,  which  is  some  20  miles  above 
the  Kanawha. 

Elk  River. — The  Elk  River  Navigation  Company  have  put 
in  one  dam  abjve  Charleston,  and  the  stream  has  been  so 
improved  that  on  a  good  stage  of  water  a  small  steamboat 
can  go  up  70  miles  to  the  furnace  of  the  Elk  River  Iron  and 
Coal  Company.  In  this  distance,  according  to  the  survey  of 
the  Northern  and  Southern  West  Virginia  railroad,  the  fall 
of  the  River  is  206  feet. 

Quyandotte  River. — Improvements  were  in  progress  before  the 
war  and  dams  built  for  some  distance  up,  but  neglected  since, 
and  finallv  destroyed. 
44 


346  RESOURCES   OF   WEST   VIRGINIA. 

Twelve  Pole  River. — A  charter  has  been  granted  to  the 
Twelve  Pole  River  Mining  and  Navigation  Company,  an 
association  ''formed for  the  purpose  of  improving  the  naviga 
tion  of  Twelve  Pole  river  and  its  tributaries  by  slack  water 
dams  and  otherwise,  and  of  mining  and  shipping  coal  and 
other  products  therefrom." 

Steer  Greek. — A  charter  has  been  granted  to  the  Steer  Creek 
Lumber,  Boom  and  Navigation  Company  to  improve  the 
waters  of  that  stream  in  Calhoun  and  Gilmer  counties.  Ob 
ject  :  To  develop  the  timber  resources. 

Middle  Island  Creel:. — A  charter  was  granted  to  the  Middle 
Island  Navigation  Company,  to  improve  the  stream  from  its 
mouth  throughout  so  much  of  its  course  as  lies  iri  Tyler  and 
Pleasants  counties. 

Fishing  Creek. — A  branch  of  the  Ohio  river,  in  Wetze'l 
county.  Navigation  to  be  improved  by  the  Fishing  Creek 
Lumber  and  Boom  Company.  Object :  To  develop  the  tim'ber 
resources. 

North  Branch  oj  the  Potomac  River. — A  charter  to  the  North 
Branch  Lumber  and  Boom  Company,  to  improve  the  naviga 
tion  of  Stony  river  and  the  North  Branch  to  Cumberland. 
Object:  Lumber  shipping. 

Shenandoah  River. — In  Jefferson  county.  The  title  of  the 
improvement  is  the  Shenandoah  Navigation  Company  ;  to 
improve  the  navigation  of  the  stream. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 
EDUCATIONAL  INTERESTS. 

BY    M.    F.    MAIJRY. 

For  much  of  the  information  in  the  following  paper,  I  am 
indebted  to  a  manuscript  on  this  subject  by  Dr.  J.  G.  Blair, 
Principal  of  the  Branch  of  the  State  Normal  School,  at  Fair 
mont. 

FREE  SCHOOLS. 

The  constitution  ot  West  Virginia  requires  the  Legislature 
to  provide  by  general  law  for  a  thorough  and  efficient-  system  of 
Free  Schools.  To  secure  this  end-  "  the  existing  permanent 
and  invested  school  fund,  and  all  moneys  accruing  to  this 
State  from  forfeited,  delinquent,  waste,  and  unappropriated 
lands  ;  from  lands  hitherto  sold  for  taxes  and  purchased  by  the 
State  [of  Virginia,  if  hereafter  redeemed  or  sold  toothers  than 
this  State  ;  all  grants,  bequests,  or  devises  that  may  be  made 
to  this  State  for  educational  purposes;  the  State's  just  share  of 
the  literary  fund  of  Virginia,  whether  paid  over  or  otherwise 
liquidated;  any  sums  of  money,  stocks  or  property  which  this 
State  shall  have  a  right  to  claim  from  the  State  of  Virginia 
for  educational  purposes  ;  the  proceeds  of  the  estates  of  persons 
who  die  without  leaving  a  will  or  heir,  and  of  all  escheated 
lands ;  the  proceeds  of  all  taxes  that  may  be  levied  on  any  cor 
poration  ;  all  moneys  that  may  be  paid  for  exemption  from 
military  duty,  and  such  sums  as  may  be  appropriated  from 
time  to  time  by  the  Legislature,  shall  be  set  apart  as  a  school 
fund,  and  invested  under  such  regulations  .as  maybe  prescribed 
by  law  in  the  interest  bearing  securities  of  the  United  States, 
and  of  this  State,  or  in  such  other  solvent  interest  bearing 


348  .          RESOURCES   OF   WEST   VIRGINIA. 

securities  as  maybe  approved  by  the  Governor,  Superintendent 
of  Free* Schools,  Auditor  and  Treasurer,"  who  are  constituted, 
''the  Board  of  the  School  Fund,  to  manage  the  same  under 
such  regulations  as  maybe  prescribed  by  law,  and  the  interest 
thereof  shall  be  annually  applied  to  the  support  of  free  schools 
throughout  the  State,  and  to  no  other  purpose  whatever.  *  * 
Any  portion  of  said  interest,  remaining  unexpended  at  the 
close  of  the  fiscal  year,  shall  be  added  to,  and  remain  part  of 
the  capital  of  the  school  fund."  The  Legislature  is  required 
"to  foster  and  encourage  moral,  intellectual,  scientific  and 
agricultural  improvement,  and  when  it  may  bo  practicable,  to 
make  suitable  provision  for  the  blind,  mute,  and  insnne,  and 
organize  such  institutions  of  learning  as  the  best  interests  of 
general  education  in  the  State  may  demand." 

Under  the  Constitution  of  186},  the  Legislature  put  into 
efficient  operation  the  Free  School  system  of  the  State.  The 
popular  school  law  then  adopted  still  retains  its  essential  fea 
tures,  having  only  been  changed  in  expedients,  to  give  the 
schools  greater  advantages.  This  law,  as  re-enacted  by  the 
Legislature  in  1*873,  compares  favorably  with  the  most  liberal 
school  legislation  of  other  States. 

For  school  purposes,  each  county  is  divided  into  districts  (cor 
responding  to  townships  in  other  States),  and  each  of  these 
into  sub-districts.  Each  district  is  controlled  by  a  "  Board  of 
Education,"  consisting  of  a  President,  and  t\vo  Commissioners, 
and  each  sub-district,  is  under  the  management  of  one  "Trustee." 
The  officers  are  chosen  by  the  electors  of  the  district  every  two 
years. 

In  addition  to  the,School  Fund  already  alluded  to,  the  School 
Law  says:  "  For  the  support  of  the  Primary  Free  Schools  of 
their  district,  and  in  each  independent  school  district,  the 
Board  of  Education  thereof  shall  annually  levy  by  the  author 
ity  of  the  people,  such  a  tax  on  the  property  taxable  in  the 
district,  as  will,  with  the  money  received  from  the  State  for 
the  support  of  Free  Schools,  be  sufficient  to  keep  such  schools 
in  operation  at  least  four  months  in  the  year;  provided,  the 
said  tax  in  any  year  shall  not  exceed  the  amount  of -50  cents  on 
every  100  dollars  valuation."  (School  Laws,  Sec  40.)  The 
proceeds  of  this  tax,  together  with  the  distributable  State 
School  Fund,  constitute  the  k:  Te;iohor's  Fund,"  which  is  to  be 
used  only  in  paying  teachers'  salaries. 


RESOURCES   OF   WEST    VIRGINIA.  349 

Should  any  Board  of  Education  fail  to  make  this  levy,  after 
the  people  have  voted  to  do  so,  the  law  requires  that  the  county 
court  shall  compel  them  to  do  so,  and  every  district  rejecting 
said  levy  by  a  majority  vote,  shall  not  receive  its  pro  rata  of 
the  State  funds. 

The  School  Law  (Sec.  60)  provides:  "That  for  the  support 
of  Free  Schools,  there  shall  be  a  State  tax,  levied  annually, 
of  10  cents  on  the  100  dollars  valuation  of  all  real  and  per 
sonal  property  of  the  State."  This  amount,  combined  with 
the  interest  accruing  on  the  invested  fund,  makes  up  the 
annual  appropriations  by  the  State  in  aid  of  the  "  Teachers' 
Fund." 

Section  38  of  the  School  Law  says :  "To  provide  school  houses 
and  grounds,  furniture,  fixtures  and  appendage?,  and  to  keep 
the  same  in  good  order  and  repair,  and  to  supply  fuel  and  other 
things  needed  for  comfort  and  convenience,  the  Board  of  Edu 
cation  shall  annually  levy  a  tax  on  the  taxable  property  of 
each  district,  not  to  exceed  in  any  single  year  40  cents  on  the 
100  dollars,  valuation  thereof,  according  to  the  latest  assess 
ment  of  the  same  for  State  and  county  taxation,"  This  tax, 
together  with  the  bequests  and  other  revenues  that  may  be  for 
the  purpose,  constitute  a  "  Building  Fund,"  which  is  entirely 
distinct  from  the  "  Teachers'  Fund." 

The  report  for  1875  of  the  State  Superintendent  of  Free 
Schools  shows  that  the  Permanent  School  Fund  amounts  to 
$325,243fVir;  the  Current  Teachers' Fund  to  $541, 358  T%\;  the 
Current  Building  Fund  to  $255,233-^;  and  the  aggregate 
amount  expended  for  school  purposes  for  thut  year  to  $796,- 
592  ^V 

The  school  year  begins  on  the  1st  of  September,  and  the 
District  Boards  hold  their  first  meeting  for  this  year  on  the  1st 
Monday  of  September,  when  they  have  to  determine  the  num 
ber  of  months  the  schools  shall  be  taught  in  each  sub-district, 
the  number  of  teachers  to  be  employed,  andtheir  wages,  which 
latter  are  graded  according  to  the  individual  merits  of  the 
teachers,  as  shown  by  the  certificates  granted  them  by  the 
County  Board  of  Examiners.  The  trustee  in  each  sub-district 
employs  the  teacher.  He  has  discretionary  power  in  minor 
matters  relating  to  the  comfort,  order  and  success  of  thQ 
Bchool. 


350  RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA. 

At  the  time  of  electing  the  Trustees  and  District  Boards,  the 
people  of  each  count}''  elect  a  County  Superintendent  of  Free 
Schools,  who  shall  be,  says  the  law:  "  a  person  of  temperate 
habits,  of  literary  acquirements,  and  of  skill  and  experience  in 
the  art  of  teaching."  This  officer  is  charged  with  grave  re 
sponsibilities,  and  by  his  efficiency  contributes  largely  to 
school  success.  It  is  his  duty  to  visit  the  schools  of  his  coun 
ty  each  year,  to  advise  and  direct  the  teachers  in  their  work, 
to  see  that  the  school  law  is  executed  by  all  subordinate  offi 
cers,  to  look  after  school  finances,  to  act  as  Chairman  of  the 
County  Board  of  Examiners,  to  examine  into  the  condition  of 
school-houses  and  property,  to  encourage  and  to  aid  in  the 
organization  of  County  Institutes,  and,  if  need  be,  in  the  for 
mation  of  Union  Institutes  between  two  or  more  counties,  to 
distribute  official  blanks  or  papers  relative  to  school  work, 
and  annually  to  report  the  exact  condition  of  the  schools  in 
his  district  to  the  State  Superintendent. 

Two  experienced  teachers,  appointed  by  the  Presidents  of 
the  District  Boards  of  each  county,  at  a  meeting  held  for  that 
purpose  in  August  of  every  year,  constitute,  with  the  County 
Superintendent,  a  County  Examining  Board,"  which  issues 
teachers'  licenses.  These  are  granted  for  a  period  of  not  more 
than  one  year,  and  are  of  five  grades,  No.  1  being  the  highest. 
The  examination  fee  is  one  dollar. 

The  Constitution  provides  for  a  State  Superintendent  of 
Free  Schools,  who  is  the  highest  officer  known  in  the  school 
law,  and  is  elected  by  the  people  of  the  State  at  large.  His. 
term  of  office  is  four  years.  The  law  provides  that  he  shall 
be  *'  of  good  moral  character,  of  temperate  habits,  of  literary 
acquirements,  and  skill,  and  experience  in  the  art  of  teach 
ing."  His  salary  comes  out  of  the  general  school  fund.  He 
has  complete  charge  of  all  State  educational  matters,  sees  that 
the  school  funds  are  properly  distributed,  has  to  do  everything 
that  will  lend  energy  and  efficiency  to  his  department  at 
large,  and  makes  an  annual  report  to  the  Governor,  as  to  the 
condition  of  the  free  schools  ot  the  State  and  their  financial 
condition,  with  such  suggestions  for  improvements  in  any  of 
the  departments,  as  may  seem  to  him  to  concern  their  general 
welfare.  This  report  is  communicated  by  the  Governor  to 


RESOURCES   OF   WEST    VIRGINIA.  351 

the  Cession  of  the  Legislature  at  each  biennial  session  triers 
after. 

The  Code  of  West  Virginia  declares  that  "all  teachers. 
Boards  of  Education,  and  all  other  school  officers,  are  charged 
with  the  duty  of  providing  that  moral  training  for  the  youth 
of  the  State,  which  will  contribute  to  securing  good  behavior 
and  manners,  and  furnishing  the  State  with  exemplary  citi 
zens,"  (Sec.  32,  chap.  123),  and  provides  for  three  grades  of 
of  schools,  viz.:  Primary,  Graded,  and  High, 

The  present  free  school  system  was  inaugurated  in  the  entire 
State  in  1865,  and  speedily  put  into  operation,  though  several 
counties  adopted  a  similar  system  at  a  much  earlier  date. 

In  no  State  in  the  Union  has  the"  educational  system  been 
more  cordially  adopted,  or  met  with  less  opposition,  and  the 
spirit  of  each  Legislature  has  been  in  unison  with  the  Con 
stitution,  in  cherishing  the  State  system  of  public  instruction. 
From  the  first  the  schools  have  been  of  the  most  approved  form 
that  the  funds  would  sanction.  In  1865  there  were  133  houses 
for  free  schools;  in  1875,  2,959.  The  value  of  school  property  in 
1865  was  $52,856,  while  in  1875,  it  was  $1,605,627.  In 
1875  the  number  of  free  schools,  both  high  and  sub-district, 
taught,  was  3,231.  In  1865  there  were  387  teachers,  of  both 
sexes,  engaged  in  teaching  in  the  free  schools,  while  in  1875, 
there  were  3,461,  which  gives  one  teacher  for  about  every  144 
of  our  citizens.  In  Illinois,  one  of  the  first  free  school  Pfcates 
of  the  country,  the  ratio  is  as  1  to  141. 

The  Free  School  work  in  West  Virginia  is  shown  with 
some  degree  of  accuracy  by  the  following  official  statistics,  for 
the  year  beginning  1st  September,  from  the  office  of  the  State 
Superintendent  : 


352 


RESOURCES   OF   WEST   VIRGINIA. 


§ 

c-^ 

: 

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'-M 

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t2 

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§ 

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COUNTY. 

I 

If 

1    ! 

i  COUNTY. 

.2 

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00 

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rtic" 

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S  *•** 

w 

*$ 

[»l 

H 

•^ 

W 

H 

Barbour  

•••>    4  706.74 

3942 

75 

Br't  forward 

Berkeley.... 

5,892.39 

4,935 

811 

Mineral.  .. 

$    2,31277 

1,937 

31 

Boone  

2,078.751     1,741 

32  iMonongalia 

5,907.91 

4,948 

46 

Braxton  

3,42081 

2,865 

70  i  Monroe  

3,884,08 

3,253 

67 

Brooke  

2,315.16 

1,939 

49 

Morgan  

1,796.97 

1,505 

29 

Cabell  

4,144.37 

3,471 

58 

Nicholas  

2,350.98 

1,969 

44 

Calhoun  ... 

1  732.49 

1,451 

24 

Ohio  

2,783.21 

2,331 

32 

Clav   

1,262.08 

1,057 

21 

Pendleton  .. 

3,020.82 

2,530 

47 

Dodd  ridge... 

3,633.34 

3,043 

69 

Pleasants  ... 

1,798.16 

1,506 

29 

Fayette  

3,301.41 

2,765 

68 

Pocahontas. 

1,708.61 

1,431 

26 

Gilmer  

2,479.93i     2',077 

41 

Preston  

6,882.21 

5,764 

100 

Grant..  

1,905.62 

1,596 

35 

Putnam  

3,806.47 

3,188 

52 

Greenbrier.. 

4,884.65 

4,091 

85 

Raleigh  

2,622  02 

2,196 

54 

Ha  mpshire. 

3,413.64 

2,859 

57 

Randolph... 

2,755.75 

2,308 

55 

Hancock  

1,993.98 

1,670 

44 

Ritchie  

4,481.08 

3,753 

89 

Hardy  

2,390.38 

2002 

48 

Roane  

3,934.61 

3,297 

62 

Harrison.  ... 

7,720.40 

6,466 

112 

Summers  ... 

2,521.72 

2,112 

51 

J  IK"*  lv  SO  11 

5  475  68 

4  ^P. 

104- 

Taylor                 4  159  73 

3,478 

Jefferson.... 

5^469.71 

TTjtJClJ 

4,581 

XU~r 

44 

Tucker  1,161.76 

*973 

24 

Ivanawha.... 
Lewis  

11,052.94 
4,602.87 
2,765.30 

9,260 
3,855 
2,316 

105 

70 
51 

:Tvler    . 

4,022.58 
3,755.13 
4,701.97 

3,369 
3,145 
3,938 

66 
71 
62 

lUpshur  

IV\^«vnp 

Lincoln  

Logan  

2,330.68 

1,952 

21  Webster  

903.85 

757 

Marion  

6.820.12 

5,712 

87  jWetzel  

4,973.01 

4,165 

"'?8 

Marshall  7.903.40 

6  033 

«S!  Wirfc 

2,208  90 

1,850 

29 

Mason 

8,183.68 

6'  854'         '  iWood 

9.260.66 

7,756 

121 

McDowell... 
Mercer  

1,065.04 
2,490.68 

'892      241  Wyoming...        IJ583.24 
2,086s      53'  Wheel.  City     10,763.91 

1,326 
9,015 

26 
73 

|$214,791.32 

179,897 

2,993 

During  the  present  year  the  number  of  pupils'  who  are  study 
ing  all  the  branches  of  the  free  school  course  has  been  greatly 
increased.  Each  year  is  adding  greatly  to  the  elevation  of  the 
grades  of  study. 


RESOURCES   OF    WEST  VIRGINIA.  353 

No  text  books  books  are  used  except  those  prescribed  by  the 
Legislature,  which  has  provided  most  amply  for  all  subjects 
taught  in  the  best  schools. 

NORMAL  SCHOOLS. 

The?e  were  organized  at  an  early  period  of  the  school  work 
of  West  Virginia,  to  supply  trained  teachers  for  the  rural  dis 
tricts  and  towns,  and  are  therefore  valuable  adjuncts  of  the 
common  school  system. 

They  are  under  the  direction  of  a  Board  of  Regents,  consist 
ing  of  the  Governor,  Auditor,  Treasurer,  and  Superintendent 
of  Free  Schools  of  the  State,  and  one  member  from  each  Con 
gressional  district. 

Section  88  of  the  School  Law  give*  this  Board  the  control 
of  the  property  and  conduct  of  the  schools,  and  fall  authority 
to  make  such  by-laws  and  regulations  for  the  government  of 
the  same,  as,  in  their  opinion,  will'be^t  subserve  the  purposes 
of  their  creation.  They  appoint  the  teachers,  determine  their 
compensation,  prescribe  the  conditions  upon  which  students 
shall  be  admitted,  and  the  text  books  and  general  course  of 
study,  regulate  the  condition^  of  graduation,  and  prepare  and 
confer  normal  diploma*,  which,  by  a  provision  of  law,  are 
accepted  throughout  the  State  as  teachers1  certificates,  and 
empower  Boards  of  Education  to  employ  such  graduates 
as  free  school  teachers,  without  further  examination  by 
County  Boards.  The  object  of  this  regulation  was  to  encour 
age  teachers  to  seek  those  higher  qualifications  for  their  work, 
which  the  Normal  schools  were  designed  to  bestow. 

In  fulfilment  of  their  duties  the  Board  of  Regents,  on  the 
8th  July,  1873,  adopted  the  following  regulations  for  the 
admission  of  pupils  to  these  institutions  : 

The  number  of  students  which  each  county  of  the  State 
?hall  be  entitled  to  send  to  the  Normal  Department  in  the 
State  Normal  school  and  its  branches,  free  of  charge,  for 
tuition,  shall  be  as  follows  : 


45 


354 


RESOURCES    OF     rt'EST    VIRGINIA. 


Barb  /ir.  ' 

9  Hancock 

4  M  on  on  cralia 

i? 

Roane 

7 

Berkeley 

1")  1  1'irdy 

9 

Summers 

4 

Boone...  

4  Harrison  ... 

.  .  ..15!  Morgan  

4 

Taylor  - 

s 

Braxton 

H  Jackson  --. 

9  j  McDowell 

9 

Tucker 

2 

Brooke 

f>  .Jefferson 

VJ1  Nicholas 

4 

Tyler 

Cabell 

1  0  i  Ivanawha 

20iOhio 

26 

Upshnr    . 

Calhoun 

3  Lewis 

9  Pendleton 

6 

Wayne  

7 

Clay 

9  Lincoln 

5'Pleasints  • 

3 

Webster 

•  > 

Doddrin^e 

(vLo^ail  . 

5  Pocahontas 

4 

Wetzel  

s 

Favette 

6  Marion    .... 

....  1M  Preston 

IS 

Wirt       .     .    .. 

4 

Gilmer 

4  Marsliall 

..  13  Putnam 

Wood       

17 

Grant 

4  Mason 

14Rttleigh 

3 

Wyoming  

3 

Greenbrier 

9  Mercer  

(j  Randolph 

fS 

Humpshire  ..... 

7  Mineral  

....     0  Ritchie..  



Applications  for  admission  to  the  Normal  Department,  of  the 
•^ta!e  Normal  School  and  its  Branches,  are  made  to  the  Super 
intendent  of  Free  Schools  of  the^county  in  which  the  applicant/ 
resides. 

Male  pupils  must  not  1)3  less  than  15,  and  females  not  less 
than  13  year>  of  age.  No  applicants  can  be  selected  unless  they 
are  of  good  moral  character  and  found,  upon  examination,  to  he 
entitled  to  a  No.  4  Teacher's  certificate. 

The  county  Superintendent  shall  require  from  each  selected 
applicant,  a  written  declaration,  that  they  propose  to -become 
teachers  in  the  State  Frefi  Schools  and  that  they  will,  on  the 
conplelion  of  their  studies  in  the  Normal  School,  teach  for  one 
year  in  the  Free  Schools,  or  upon  failure  to  do  so,  to  pay  to  the 
school,  the  usual  amount  of  fees  charged  to  other  students. 
The  Normal  School,  or  any  of  its  Branches,  may  admit  paying 
students  from  any  State  (preference  being  given  to  those  from 
West  Virginia)  whether  they  desire  to  become  teachers  or  not. 
State  student.^  of  any  one  of  the  Normal  Schools  may  be  trans 
ferred  to  another  of  said  schools,  only  upon  procuring  a  certifi 
cate  of  good  deportment  from  the  Principal  of  the  school  he 
has  been  attending  or  by  permission  of  the  Board  of  Regents* 
and  the  time  he  has  so  attended,  shall  be  credited  to  him  in 
course,  by  the  Principal  of  the  school  to  which  he  is  trans 
ferred. 

To  all  persons  appointed  in  accordance  with  the  foregoing 
provisions,  tuition  is  free  and  students  not  qualified  to  enter 
the  Junior  class  of  the  Normal  course,  may,  if  of  proper  age  and 


RESOURCES    OF    WEST    VIRGINIA.  355 

otherwise  qualified,  receive  one  years  preparatory  instruction 
in  the  school. 

The  Normal  course  consists  of  two  years — the  Junior  and 
the  Senior. 

The  Junior  Normal  course  shall  embrace  Reading,  Spelling, 
Writing,  Arithmetic,  Geography,  Algebra  (commenced),  Eng 
lish  Grammar,  Composition,  and  History  of  the  United  States. 

The  Senior  Normal  course  shall  embrace.  Composition,  Alge 
bra  (continued),  Rhetoric,  Physical  Geography,  Mental  Sci 
ence,  General  History,  Geometry,  and  plain  Trigonometry, 
School  Economy,  Method  of  Teaching,  and  Systematic  Classi 
fication  of  pupils. 

The  Principal  and  assistants  of  any  of  the  Normal  Schools, 
are  authorized  to  teach  a  classical  and  scientific  course 
in  addition  to  the  Normal  course  ;  provided,  the  Normal  course 
shall  not  be  abridged  or  neglected  in  any  manner,  by  the 
teaching  of  such  scientific  and  classical  course. 

The  rates  of  tuition  for  pay  scholars  are  hereby  fixed  as 
follows  : 

For  Junior  Normal  Course  per  year $2000 

"    Senior        "  "         "       " 24.00 

Classical  department  per  year 3200 

One-half  of  which  shall  be  paid  on  entrance,  and  the  resi 
due,  when  half  the  year  has  elapsed. 

The  Board  of  Regents  direct  that  the  method  of  discipline 
in  the  Normal  Schools  shall  be : 

1st.  Private  admonition  by  the  Instructor. 

2d.  Admonition  by  the  Faculty. 

81    A  I  monition  before  the  whole  school. 

4th.  Suspension. 

oth.   Dismissal. 

Striking  in  anger,  any  pupil  or  teacher,  or  the  commission 
of  any  felony,  is  to  be  followed  by  expulsion,  and  any  viola 
tion  of  the  law  of  the  State,  is  to  be  followed  by  suspension  or 
.expulsion,  as  the  Executive  Committee  may  direct. 

The  following  Normal  Schools  have  been  provided  for.  A 
further  increase  in  their  numbsr  is  prohibited  by  the  Consti 
tution,  which  says  that  "  no  appropriation  shall  hereafter  be 
made  to  any  State  Normal  School  or  branch  thereof,  except  to 
those  already  established,  or  in  operation,  or  now  chartered." 


356  RESOURCES    OF    WEST    VIRGINIA. 

WEST  VIRGINIA  STATE  NORMAL  SCHOOL,  or,  Marshall  Colleg^ 

Has  an  admirable  location  on  the  Ohio,  at  Huntington, 
in  Cabell  county.  As  "Marshall  Academy,"  it  was  aschool 
of  high  rank,  before  it  was  transferred  to  the  State.  On 
27th  February,  1867,  an  act  of  the  Legislature  established 
it  a  State  Normal  School.  The  main  building  of  the  col 
lege  is  70  by  40  feet,  with  a  wing  100  by  30  feet,  both  be- 
being  three  stories  high,  and  having  accommodations  for  100 
boarders — 60  male  and  40  female.  The  institution  has  a  small 
cabinet  of  minerals,  a  fair  amount  of  chemical  and  philosoph 
ical  apparatus,  and  a  library — of  much  1133  to  the  students— 
of  about  1,000  volumes  of  standard  \vorks.  About  100  of  its 
pupils  are  now  teaching  in  the  Free  Schools.  From  1870  to 
1875,  both  inclusive,  47  students  have  graduated  from  the  Nor 
mal  School  Department. 

Fairmont  Branch  of  the  State  Normal  School,  is  situated  at  Fair 
mont,  in  Marion  county.  On  the  8th  March,  18(58,  the  State 
purchased  this  property,  consisting  of  a  brick  building  60  by 
40  feet,  two  stories  high,  and  created  it  a  branch  State  Normal 
School.  During  the  year,  1872-3,  a  substantial  brick  edifice 
three  stories  high,  and  70  by  38  feet,  was  added  to  the  former 
building,  thus  furnishing  ample  accommodation  for  300  stu 
dents.  Nearly  all  the  teachers  who  have  graduated  from  this 
school,  have  been  continuously  engaged  in  teaching,  and  dur 
ing  the  present  year,  about  1 60  of  its  pupils  have  been  employed 
in  the  Free  Schools.  From  1872  to  1875,  both  inclusive,  the 
number  of  graduates  was  82.  During  the  year,  1874-5,  the 
number  of  pupils  was  152 

Shepherd's  College  and  Branch  State  Normal  School,  located  at 
Shepherdstown,  Jefferson  county,  has  been  in  operation  as  a 
Normal  School,  sines  8th  September,  1873.  The  buildings  are 
commodious  and  well  arranged  for  school  purposes.  The  main 
building  is  of  brick,  two  stories  high.  To  this  are  added  two 
wings.  The  building  occupies  an  eminence  in  the  center  of 
the  town,  and  is  surrounded  by  extensive  and  beautiful  grounds.  % 
The  property  is  valued  at  810,000.  The  graduates  of  this 
school  number  50,  of  which  more  than  half,  ao)  now  teaching 
in  the  State.  The  number  of  pupils  in  attendance  the  present 
year,  is  135,  of  which  62  are  in  the  Senior  class. 

Glenville    Branch    Normal  School,  located  at  Glenville,  Gil- 


RESOURCES    OF    WEST     VIRGINIA.  357 

mer  county,  has  been  conducted  with  success  since  its  organi 
zation  in  March,  1873.  The  enrollment  of  pupils  in  1875, 
was  105.  The  graduates  have  been  14  in  all.  This  school  is 
of  great  value  to  the  State,  as  it  is  located  in  an  interior 
county,  where  its  educational  -influence  is  much  appreciated. 

T/ie  Bmnrh  Sonnal  School  at  West  Liberty,  Ohio  county,  has 
been  in  operation  since  1870.  The  buildings  are  very  conven 
ient  for  school  purposes,  and  ample  to  accommodate  from  100 
to  150  pupils.  The  school  began  with  30  pupils,  and  at  the 
end  of  3  years  had  110.  Its  graduates  have  nearly  all  become 
teachers  in  the  State. 

The  Branch  Normal  School  at  Concord,  in  Mercer  county, 
has  been  in  operation  only  a  short  time,  and  has  turned  out 
no  graduates. 

WEST    VIRGINIA.  UNIVERSITY. 

This  was  designed  to  stand  at  the  head  of  the  literary  insti- 
tionsof  the  State,  and  was  located  by  the  Legislature  at  Mor- 
gantown,  in  Monongalia  county.  The  buildings  are  new, 
tasteful,  spacious  and  well  adapted  to  their  purpose,  consisting 
of  a  University  Hall,  an  Armory,  arid  new  Central  Hull.  The 
surroundings  are  favorable  for  student  life. 

The  origin  of  this  institution  began  in  the  grant  of  lands, 
made  several  years  ago,  by  the  United  States  to  most  of  the 
States  of  the  Union,  for  the  purpose  of  establishing  agricul 
tural  colleges.  The  proceeds  of  the  land  script  thus  given  to 
West  Virginia  were  about  $90,000.  To  this  the  State  has 
since  addo  (  about  620,000,  thus  furnishing  the  school  a  per 
manent  fund  of  3110,003,  the  income  from  which  goes  to  meet 
the  curient  expenses  of  the  college.  In  addition  to  this  fund 
the  Legislature  has  been  accustomed  to  make  special  appro 
priation  for  its  current  expenses. 

From  the  outset,  the  plan  and  scope  of  the  college  was  made 
broad  and  liberal,  assuming  the  features  of  a  university. 
The  departments  of  instruction  embrace  the  literary,  scien 
tific,  practical  and  experimental,  agricultural  and  military. 
The  Unite-1  States  furnishes  arms  and  equipments,  and  also 
details  an  officer  from  the  regular  officer  army  to  teach 
military  science,  &c. 


358  RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA. 

The  various  departments,  as  at  present  arranged,  are  as 
follows  : 

1st.  Philosophy  and  English  Literature. 

2d.  Astronomy  and  Physics. 

3d.  Mathematics  and  Engineering. 

4th.  Military  Science  and  Tactics. 

5th.  Modern  Languages  and  Literature. 

6th.  History,  Political  Economy,  and  Belles  Lettres. 

7th.  Chemistry,  Natural  History,  and  Agriculture. 

The  University  is  in  possession  of  the  apparatus,  requisite 
for  a  thorough  illustration  of  Chemistry  and  Physics, 'and  its 
Museum  contains  extensive  mineralogical,  geological  and  con- 
chological  cabinets,  together  with  many  specimens  in  other 
departments  of  Natural  History.  Its  laboratory  of  Practical 
Chemistry  is  in  operation,  the  instruction  at  present  being 
devoted  chiefly  to  analysis,  with  its  application  to  agricul 
ture.  Its  library  embraces  about  4,000  volumes,  which 
include  not  only  valuable  books  of  reference,  but  also  stand 
ard  works  in  the  various  departments  of  History,  Biography, 
Theology,  Agriculture,  Arts,  Sciences  and  General  Literature. 

In  1874-5  there  were  150  students  enrolled.  This  includes 
the  preparatory  class. 

This  institution  is  un'ier  the  control  of  a  Board  of  nine 
Regents,  one  from  each  judicial  district  of  the  State,  who  are 
appointed  by  the  Board  01  th«  School  Fund.  The  law  pro 
vides  that  four  cadets  from  each  judicial  district  of  the  State 
may  be  appointed  to  the  Military  Department.  These  enjoy 
all  the  privileges  of  the  college,  have  all  their  books  furnished 
them,  and  are  exempt  from  any  charges  for  tuition. 

STATE  COLORED  SCHOOLS. 

When  the  number  of  colored  youth  in  any  sub-district  of  a 
county  exceeds  25,  the  law  requires  the  Trustee  to  pro 
vide  a  school  for  the  class,  or  two  or  more  sub-districts  may 
unite  in  maintaining  such  a  school.  Accordingly  there  are 
well  arranged,  and  conducted  schools,  in  the  cities  of  Wheel 
ing,  Parkersburg,  Charleston,  arid  Martinsburg,  for  this 
portion  of  the  population  of  the  State. 


RESOURCES    OF    WEST    VIRGINIA.  359 

PRIVATE   SCHOOLS. 

In  addition  to  the  'foregoing  schools  belonging  to,  and  pro 
vided  for,  by  the  State,  the  youth  of  West  Virginia  have  edu 
cational  advantages  in.  many  private  and  denominational  in 
stitutions,  among  which  .may  be  mentioned  the  following,  as 
among  the  most  conspicuous  : 

Bethany  College,  located  at  Bethany,  in  Brooke  county,  and 
under  the  control  of  the  Christian  Church,  was  organized  by 
the  renowned  Rev.  Alex.  Campbell.  It  is  a  literary  college  of 
high  grade,  and  offers  a  liberal  training  to  its  pupils.  Its 
building*  and  grounds  are  fine  and  ample ;  its  library  and  ap 
paratus  extensive,  and  its  students  have  become  distinguish 
ed  educators  in  this  and  oth?r  States. 

Fleming  College,  at  Flemington,  Taylor  county,  was  estab 
lished  as  a  "  Free  Will  Baptist"  College,  in  1868.  The  course 
of  study  i.s  largely  of  a  normal  character.  During  1875,  there 
were  70  pupils  in  attendance. 

Stover  Colleyz  chartere-l  in  1868,  received  its  name  from  the 
late  John  Stover,  of  Maine,  who  gave  S  10,000  towards  its  en 
dowment.  It  is  situated  at  Harper's  Ferry,  in  Jefferson  coun 
ty.  It  was  the  wish  of  the  founder  that  it  should  be  operated 
as  a  seminary  and  normal  school,  until  it-*  endowment  should 
justify  the  establishment  of  a  college  course.  Its  catalogue 
says  that  a  cardinal  feature  in  it-<  administration,  is  that  "stu 
dents  shall  be  admitted  without  distinction,  on  account  of  race, 
color,  sex  or  religious  preferences."  It  is,  however,  only  at 
tended  by  colored  pupils.  Its  buildings  furnish  a  chapel, 
recitation  rooms,  library,  printing  office,  reading  room,  and 
boarding  hall  for  70  male  students,  and  the  effort  now  is 
to  erect  a  similar  hall  for  girls.  This  has  been  begun,  but  is 
not  completed.  The  school  has  an  annual  course  of  lectures 
on  scientific,  and  other  topics,  and  an  excellent  feature  in  its 
administration  is,  that  instruction  is  given  in  printing  and  in 
dustrial  pursuits.  The  course  of  study  is  academic  and  normal. 
The  Board  of  Instruction  consists  of  a  principal  and  nine  as 
sistants.  The  aggregate  number  of  pupils  for  the  year. ending 
June  1875,  was  285. 

Wheeling  female  College,  chartered  in  1849,  has  been  in  ex 
cellent  reputation  for  many  years,  and  is  the  property  of  a 
joint  stock  company.  The  building  occupies  a  commanding 


360  RESOURCES    OF    WEST    VIRGINIA. 

position  in  tho  centre  of  Wheeling,  is  well  furnished,  and  can 
accommodate  a  large  number  of  boarding  pupils.  At  present 
it  has  an  enrollment  of  100  pupils,  a  large  number  of  whom  re 
side  in  Wheeling. 

The  Doddridge  Mmic  and  Art  School,  located  on  12th  street,  in 
Wheeling,  was  established  in  1874.  Instruction  is  given  in  oil 
painting,  drawing  and  music.'  Number  of  pupils  the  present 
your,  69. 

Morgantown  female  Seminary, 'in  Monongalia  county,  was 
organized  in  18-V2,  and  has  been  in  successful  operation  since 
that  time,  enjoying  an  excellent  reputation.  The  want  of 
statistics  showing  the  extent  of  its  work,  is  much  to  be  re 
gretted. 

St.  Albrins  Seminary,  in  Kanawha  county,  was  begun  a  few 
years  ago,  under  the  care  of  the  Baptist  church,  and  has  an  ex 
cellent  reputation.  There  is  also  an  academy  at  French  creek, 
in  Upshur  county.  Also,  a  High  School,  at  Buckhannon,  in 
[Jpshur  county,  which  bids  fair  to  become  very  useful  in  the 
State. 

St  Josrph's  Academy,  in  Wheeling  was  opened  1st  of  September 
1865,  by  the  "Sisters  of  St.  Joseph,  for  girl*  and  boys  under  12 
years  old.  The  present  attendance  is  115  of  the  former  and  57 
of  the  latter.  German  is  taughc  gratis  to  children  of  German 
parentage.  These  Sisters  also  conduct  St.  Josephs  Parish  School 
with  240  pupils;  St.  Alpltonxw  (German)  with  300  pupils,  and 
a  Parish  and  Orphan  Asylum  School,  with  260  pupils.  Also  in 
Graf  to  n,  Taylor  county,  they  teach  a  parish  school  with  165 
pupils;  an  academy  at  Clarksburg,  Harrison  county,  with  122* 
pupils,  and  one  at  Charleston,  Kanawha,  with  8S  pupils. 
Total  number  of  pupils  1347.  Number  of  teachers,  including 
those  engaged  solely  in  teaching  music  and  the  languages,  46 
In  the^e  schools  the  boys  and  girl*  are  taught  separately. 

Mount  de  Chainrl. — Near  Wheeling,  controlled  by  the  "Sisters 
of  the  Visitation,"  has  been  in  operation  'since  1864,  and  has 
done  much  valuable  work.  It  is  to  be  regretted  that  statistics 
showing  the  extent  and  progress  of  this  institution,  have  not 
been  furnished  by  those  in  charge. 

Commercial  Srhonlx — In  Parkersburg,  Charleston  and  Wheel 
ing,  busiiK-s-  colleges  have  been  organized,  and  are  in  success 
ful  operation.  Asa  school  of  the  highest  type  of  its  class  in 


RESOURCES   OF   WEST   VIRGINIA.  361 

the  State,  may  be  named  the  National  Business  College  in 
Wheeling.  It  is  designed  for  the  practical  education  of  ladies, 
young  men,  and  boys,  in  business  affairs.  It  embraces  in 
struction  in  all  departments  of  Book-keeping,  Penmanship, 
Arithmetic,  Spelling,  Commercial  Law,  Commercial  Corres 
pondence,  Lectures  and  Practical  Exercises. 

PUBLIC  SCHOOLS   OF  WHEELING-. 

Although  the  Free  Schools  of  the  State  have  been  generally 
mentioned,  yet  those  of  Wheeling  are  so  important  that  they 
merit  a  special  notice. 

The  Free  School  system  of  this  city  was  organized  in  1849 — • 
many  years  before  the  formation  of  the  State  of  West  Virginia 
— and  under  it,  they  have  been  successfully  conducted  ever 
since,  though  the  plans  have  been  modified  from  time  to  time 
to  meet  the  growth  of  the  city,  and  the  increasing  needs  of 
the  youth.  These  schools  are  governed  by  a  "Board  of  Educa 
tion/'  consisting  of  21  commissioners,  elected  to  represent  the 
eight  wards  of  the  city.  There  are  seven  large  admirably  con 
structed  buildings,  and  one  smaller  one,  suitably  furnished  for 
school  purposes,  and  all  conveniently  located.  Every  school 
is  under  the  charge  of  a  Principal,  assisted  by  teachers  who 
each  take  charge  of  a  room  and  class  of  pupils.  In  the  high 
est  grade  the  Principal  gives  instruction  in  Mathematics  and 
various  Physical  Science?.  German  is  taught  in  all  the 
grades,  to  such  pupils  as  desire  to  study  this  language. 

Colored  Schools. — In  accordance  with  the  school  law.  before 
alluded  to,  a  school  for  the  colored  youth  of  Wheeling  was 
established  in  1866.  Since  that  date  it  has  been  taught  10 
months  in  the  year,  under  the  control  of  Board  of  Education. 
It  has  a  principal'  and  one  assitant,  with  an  average  daily 
attendance  of  60  pupils.  The  building  provides  comfortable 
and  ample  room  for  the  scholars. 

The  number  of  pupils  in  the  Wheeling  Public  Schools  in 
January,  1876,  was  3,308.  These  were  under  the  care  of  one 
Superintendent,  one  Secretary,  nine  Principals,  and  seventy- 
seven  assistants. 

TEACHERS'  NORMAL  INSTITUTES. 

The  school  law  of  West  Virginia  makes  it  the  duty  of  the  State 
Superintendent  of  Schools,  u  to  endeavor  to  render  available  to 
the  people  of  the    State,  all  such  improvements  in  the  sys* 
46 


362  RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA. 

tem  of  Free  Schools,  and  the  methods  of  instruction,  as  may  have 
been  tested  and  proved  by  the  experience  of  other  communi 
ties."  It  enjoins  upon  the  County  School  Superintendents  "  to 
encourage  the  formation  of  County  Institutes,  and  to  give  such 
advice  and  instruction  in  regard  to  their  management,  as  in 
his  judgment  may  contribute  to  their  greater  efficiency."  In 
obedience  to  this  spirit,  the  Stale  Teachers'  Association  was 
organized,  soon  after  the  establishment  of  the  Free  School 
system,  and  holds  its  meeting  annually.  The  leading  teach 
ers  of  the  State  contribute  liberally  to  the  welfare  and  interest 
of  these  gatherings.  . 

LITERARY  CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  EDUCATION. 

West  Virginia  teachers  have  not  hitherto  contributed 
largely  to  the  general  fund  of  text-books,  &c.,  in  circulation, 
but  this  is  by  no  means  an  indication  of  their  incompetency 
in  this  direction.  Of  those  works  that  now  exist,  the  follow 
ing  should  be  mentioned : 

The  Geography  of  West  Virginia,  by  Miss  A.  C.  Knote,  embrac 
ing  in  simple  and  clear  form,  a  complete  view  of  the  State,  is 
especially  adapted  to  use  in  the  Primary  Schools,  and  has  been 
made  one  of  the  text  books  of  our  Free  School  system. 

West  Virginia  Educational  Monthly,  a  pamphlet  of  about  50 
pages,  is  published  in  Parkersburg.  Concerning  it  the  follow 
ing  notice  is  clipped  from  the  Wheeling  Register,  of  the  22d  of 
March,  1876:  "  This  magazine  of  popular  education  and  gen 
eral  literary  intelligence,  has  been  published  in  the  interests 
of  the  educational  work  of  the  Free  Schools,  and  literary  insti 
tutions  of  West  Virginia,  for  almost  four  years.  During  "this 
time  the  *  Monthly'  has  done  a  good  work  for  education  in  the 
State,  by  advocating  and  illustrating  the  best  methods  of 
instruction,  by  urging  teachers  to  a  higher  degree  of  attain 
ment,  by  stimulating  them  to  study  for  the  sake  of  their  own 
culture,  as  well  as  for  the  benefit  of  their  pupils,  and  by  seek 
ing  to  encourage  every  influence  for  good  among  the  masse»  of 
the  people.  It  contains  items  of  intelligence  connected  with 
schools  throughout  the  State,  and  affords  to  teachers  and  school 
officers,  a  medium  for  the  interchange  of  ideas  concerning  the 
duties  of  the  profession.  In  this  way  the  4  Monthly '  has  been 
of  great  service  in  cultivating  and  developing  laborers  in  our 


RESOURCES  OF    WEST    VIRGINIA.  363 

The  Medical  Student,  a  "monthly  record  of  the  progress  of 
medicine,  surgery,  and  the  allied  sciences,"  is  published  in 
Wheeling. 

It  is  a  matter  of  regret  that  the  limits  and  scope  of  this  vol 
ume  on  the  resources  of  our  State,  will  not  permit  a  more 
detailed  account  of  the  history  of  the  progress  of  its  educational 
interests,  hut  enough  has  been  said  to  show  that  these  advan- 
tuges  are  by  no  means  narrow  or  limited,  and  it  may  be  added 
that  few  States  of  the  Union  have  made  more  ample  or  relia 
ble  provisions  for  popular  education,  or  made  schools  more 
fully  accessible  to  all  the  population. 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

THE  DESCRIPTION   OF  THE   INDIVIDUAL 
COUNTIES. 

The  data  given  in  the  following  account  of  the  counties,  so 
far  as  they  relate  to  the  topography,  soil,  productions,  mar 
kets,  &c.,  &c.,  were  obtained  from  the  answers  to  circulars, 
which,  to  the  number  of  4,000,  were  sent  out  into  the  State, 
and  from  such  other  sources  as  were  available.  It  is  to  be 
regretted  that  the  account  is  not,  in  all  cases,  as  full  and  accu 
rate  as  it  might  have  been  made,  had  the  answers  to  the  ques 
tions  been  more  complete  and  satisfactory.  The  number  of 
Public  Schools  was  obtained  from  the  Report  of  the  Superin 
tendent  of  Public  Schools,  for  the  year  1874,  the  number  of 
Postoffices  from  the  United  States  Official  Postal  Guide  for 
October,  1875.  The  number  of  churches  and  the  population 
were  obtained  from  the  United  States  Census  for  1870,  and  the 
value  of  taxable  property  was  gotten  from  the  Auditor's  Report 
for  1874. 

BARBOTJR    COUNTY. 

This  county  is  hilly,  and  the  hills  in  the  east  rise  into  the 
Laurel  mountain  range.  The  land  is  generally  good,  and  a 
considerable  amount  of  it  is  in  a  good  state  of  cultivation. 
A  large  amount  is  in  wood  still,  and  the  timber  is  very 
fine.  The  soil  is  mainly  clay,  or  clay  loam,  which  on  the 
hills,  is  from  4  to  6  inches  deep,  and  on  the  level  lands 
about  12  inches.  Corn,  Wheat,  Oats,  and  Rye  are  the 
crops  best  adapted  to  the  soil  in  this  county.  The 


RESOURCES   OF   WEST    VIRGINIA.  365 

yields  are  :  Corn,  25  to  50  bushels  per  acre ;  Wheat,  10  to  15 
bushels ;  Rye,  20  to  25  bushels,  and  Oats,  30  to  50  bushels. 
The  lower  yields  are  on  the  hill?,  and  the  higher,  on  the  levels 
and  bottoms.  No  manures  are  used  to  produce  these  yields. 

The  value  of  the  agricultural  land  varies  from  $12  to  $40 
per  acre;  of  the  mineral  land,  from  815  to  $40;  of  timber  land, 
$5  to  $15.  The  value  of  the  timber  is  about  $1  per  tree,  stand 
ing,  and  31  to  $1.50  per  hundred  feet  for  lumber  at  the  mills. 

The  principal  industries  are  farming,  grazing,  and  timber 
getting.  The  principal  exports  are  cattle,  wool,  and  forest 
products.  The  principal  market  is  Grafton  for  the  timber, 
where  it  is  received  and  cut.  Baltimore  is  the  market  for 
cattle.  The  minerals  are,  Coal,  in  abundance,  in  the  hills  and 
workable  ;  Limestone,  in  quantities  sufficient  for  building, 
and  agricultural  purposes ;  some  Potters'  Clay,  some  Iron,  and 
Sandstone  for  building.  No  mines  exist,  except  of  coal  for  local 
use.  Manufactures:  One  wroolen  factory,  several  saw  and  grist 
mills,  one  pottery,  worked  by  Burley,  Bennett  &  Lowry. 
Principal  streams.  Tygart's  Valley  river,  navigable  for 
canoes,  and  used  largely  in  floating  logs  to  Grafton.  Im 
provements  completed  :  Beverly  turnpike  and  dirt  roads  ;  in 
contemplation  :  W.  C.  &  St.  L.  Narrow  Gauge  railroad.  Public 
Schools,  73;  Postoffices,  16 ;  Churches,  38.  Population,  10,312. 
Value  of  taxable  property,  $2,020,800,98.  County  seat,  Phil- 
ippi.  Newspapers,  Philippi  Plaindealer  and  Barbour  Jeffer- 
sonian,  both  weekly,  and  published  at  Philippi. 

BERKELEY  COUNTY. 

Berkeley,  in  the  western  part,  is  mountainous  and  broken, 
but  in  the  eastern  part,  is  smooth  and  undulating. 

The  soils  are  loams  a  nd  clay;  thinner  and  less  productive  in  the 
west, but  in  the  east  there  is  a  large  amount  of  highly  produc 
tive  and  improved  calcareous  lands,  forming  a  part  of  the  Great 
Valley  of  Virginia.  Depth  of  soil  not  given,  but  varying  from 
4  inches  to  2,  on  the  hills,  to  12  inches  and  more  on  the  levels. 
The  grains  specially  adapted  to  the  lands,  are  Wheat,  Corn, 
Oats,  and  Barley.  All  the  cereals  do  well.  Yield  of  Wheat, 
on  hills,  8  to  10  bushels.  On  level,  limestone  lands,  12  to  15 
bushels.  The  yields  of  the  other  grains  are  not  reported.  No 
manures  are  used  to  produce  these  yields.  Value  of  land  with 
limestome  soil,  $20  to  $50  per  acre.  Mineral  land,  none  sold. 


RESOURCES   OF   WEST   VIRGINIA. 

Timber  land,  price  according  to  the  amount  of  wood;  prices  not 
reported..  Timber,  stumpage  not  reported  ;  lumber  at  the  mill, 
$1.50  to  82.00  per  hundred.  The  principal  industries  are  stock 
farming,  and  grain  raising.  The  principal  exports  are  Wheat^ 
Corn,  and  Stock.  The  markets  for  stock  and  grain,  Baltimore 
and  Marti nsburg.  The  minerals  are  some  Anthracite  coal,  in 
the  western  part  of  the  county,  in  Third  Hill  mountain,  and 
its  continuations,  worked  in  a  small  way  for  local  use.  Iron 
Ore,  in  good  quantities,  is  also  found,  of  excellent  quality,  and 
is  worked  to  some  extent,  and  was  shipped  to  Philadelphia. 
Limestone  is  abundant,  and  furnishes  fine  material  for  agri 
cultural  and  building  purposes,  both  when  burnt  for  lime  and 
quarried  for  building  stone.  Potter's  Clay  exists,  and  is  man 
ufactured  into  crocks,  etc.,  at  Martinsburg.  Sandstone  suita 
ble  for  building,  is  also  found.  Mineral  waters,  sulphur  and 
chalybeate  exist.  Manufactures,  4  cigar  factories,  producing 
219,100  cigars;  2  small  breweries,  making  200  barrels  of  lager 
beer;  1  distillery,  producing  253,914  gallons  of  spirits — value, 
$355,479.60.  All  these  products  are  for  1875. 

One  woolen  factory,  one  iron  furnace,  besides  sawmills  and 
other  manufacturies,  are  established  at  Martinsburg,  where  the 
shops  of  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  Railroad  are  located.  Im 
provements,  canal,  turnpikes,  Baltimore  and  Ohio  Railroad, 
Martinsburg  and  Potomac  Railroad ;  streams,  the  Potomac 
river,Opecquan,  and  Back  creeks,  are  all  navigable  for  good  sized 
boats.  Contemplated  improvements:  A  railroad  from  ;Mar  tins- 
burg  to  Bunker  Hill.  Schools:  Two  seminaries,  and  53  public 
schools.  Postoffices,  15.  Churches,  39.  Population,  14,900.  Val 
ue  of  taxable  property,  S6,142, 387.  County  Seat,  Martinsburg, 
which  is  a  wealthy  and  thriving  town  of  some3,500  inhabitants, 
and  is  situated  on  the  B.  &.  O.  R.  R.  101  miles  from  Baltimore. 
Newspapers,  Martinsburg  Independent,  daily  and  weekly ;  Mar- 
finsburrf  Statesman,  weekly,  published  at  Martinsburg. 

BOONE  COUNTY. 

This  county,  in  most  part,  is  very  hilly  and  mountainous, 
with  much  of  the  hilly  land  too  steep  for  profitable  cultiva 
tion.  Some  good  bottom  land  is  found  on  Big  and  Little  Coal 
rivers.  The  soil,  even  when  the  hills  are  steep,  is  usually 
quite  deep  and  fertile,  being  on  the  hills,  where  they  are  cul 
tivated,  5  to  6  inches  deep,  and  on  the  levels,  one  to  several 


RESOURCES   OF   WEST    VIRGINIA.  367 

feet.  It  is  mainly  a  sandy  or  clay  loam.  Corn,  Oats,  Wheat 
Rye,  and  Tobacco  grow  well.  The  bottoms  yield:  Corn,  30  to 
50  bushels;  Wheat,  10  to  12  bushels;  Oats,  30  bushels;  Pota 
toes,  50  to  100  bushels.  Hillsides  :  Corn,  25  bushels;  Wheat, 
12  bushels;  Oats,  30  bushels.  Xo  manure  is  used,  for  these 
yields.  Principal  industries,  cattle  raising,  farming,  lumber 
getting,  and  coal  mining.  Principal  exports,  cattle,  lumber 
as  staves,  etc.,  and  timber  in  Walnut.  Poplar,  etc.,  logs  and 
Cannel  coal  from  Peytona.  Markets,  neighboring  counties  for 
youngstock.  The  lumber  goes  to  Cincinnati  ;  also  the 
Poplar  timber.  The  Walnut  timber  is  sent  to  New  York. 
Minerals:  Coals,  Cannel  of  all  kinds,  Splint  and  Common 
Bituminous.  Several  seams  of  each  kind  of  workable  size  are 
found  in  the  hills  above  water  level.  See  general  chapter 
on  Coals  and  Iron.  Some  little  limestone.  Excellent  sand 
stone  for  building  is  found.  Coal  is  mined  extensively  at 
Peytona,  and  shipped.  Saw  and  grist  mills  exist;  number 
not  reported.  Streams  :  Big  and  Little  Coal  rivers.  Big  Coal 
is  locked  and  darned  up  to  Peytona,  and  is  navigable  to  that 
point,  for  small  steamers  and  barges.  Little  Coal  is  navigable 
for  canoes  for  some  distance  up.  Improvements,  are  on  Big 
Coal  in  the  form  of  locks  a»-d  dams.  It  is  proposed  to  lock 
and  dam  Little  Coal,  and  to  build  a  railroad  up  Big  Coal  to  the 
Forks  of  Coal,  and  up  Little  Coal  to  Madison.  Public  schools, 
32,  Postoffices,  8.  Churches,  2.  Population,  4,553.  Value  of 
taxable  property,  8595,732.46.  County  seat,  Madison. 

BRAXTON    COUNTY. 

Braxton  is  a  hilly  county,  with  some  of  the  hills  quite  high? 
£even  mountainous.  The  county  is  within  the  plateau  region 
and  hence  although  the  streams  are  deeply  sunken  into  the 
urface,  and  the  hills  along  them  are  rough  and  broken,  their 
summits  are  flat,  and  there  is  much  rolling,  and  tolerably 
smooth  surface  in  the  uplands.  The  soils  are  red  clay,  and  san 
dy  loams,  with  a  depth  of  4  to  6  inches  on  the  hillsides,  and 
10  to  12  and  more,  on  the  levels.  Crops  well  adapted  to  the 
county  are  Corn,  Oats,  Wheat,  and  Grass,  and  Buckwheat. 
The  yields  are  on  the  levels.  c,Corn,  40  bushels  :  Wheat,  10  bush 
els ;  Hay  two  tons  ;  on  the  hills,  Corn,  30  bushels;  Wheat  12 
bushels;  Rye,  20  bushels ;  Hay  litons;  Potatoes,  120  bushels. 
Value  of  the  lands,  agricultural,  5  to  15  dollars  per  acre;  min- 


368  RESOURCES    OF    WEST    VIRGINIA. 

eral  land,  4  to  6  dollars  per  acre  ;  of  timber  land,  3  to  5  dollars. 
Value  of  the  timber;  Sfcumpage,  50  cents;  at  the  mill,  5 
cents  per  cubic  foot,  or  $1.00  per  hundred,  board  measure. 
Principal  industries :  Farming,  Cattle  raising.  Lumber  get 
ting,  Principal  exports,  Stock  and  Lumber.  Stock  is  raised 
and  partly  fattened,  and  then  sold  to  parties  who  fatten  farth 
er,  and  send  to  eastern  markets.  The  Lumber,  goes  to  Charles 
ton,  where  it  is  cut  for  home  consumption,  and  for  shipment 
to  the  markets  on  the  Lower  Ohio.  Mineral:  Coals,  splint  and 
soft  bituminous,  in  workable  seams,  in  the  hills  above  water 
level,  Iron  in  workable  quantities  is  found,  and  worked  by  the 
Elk  River  Iron  and  Coal  Company.  Some  limestone,  and 
good  sandstone  for  building.  Two  salt  wells  and  furnaces 
are  at  Bull  Creek  near  Stitton  on  Elk  River.  Besides  the 
usual  country  grist  and  saw  mills,  the  Messrs.  Burns  &  Co., 
have  a  large  50  horse  power  steam  saw  mill  at  Lumberport^ 
and  the  Elk  River  Iron  and  Coal  Co.,  have  erected  a  cold  blast 
charcoal  furnace,  at  Strange  Creek,  which  went  into  blast  in 
1875.  Elk  River  is  the  principal  stream,  and  runs  north  and 
south  40  miles  through  the  county.  It  is  navigable  for  bat- 
teaux  and  light  crafts  10  months  in  the  year,  and  with  some 
improvements,  would  be  so  for  small  Steamboats.  Rich  and 
Holly  Rivers  are  tributaries  of  Elk  in  the  county.  No  public 
improvements  except  the  Weston  and  Gauley  Bridge  Turnpike. 
Slack  water  on  the  Elk  is  contemplated.  Contemplated  R.  R.; 
The  N.  &  S.  &  W.  Va.  R.  R.  Steer  Creek  Valley  &  Elk  River 
R.  R.  and  the  \V.  Va.  R.  R.  Public  Schools  43 ;  Post  Offices, 
15;  Churches,  7;  Population  6480.  Value  of  taxable  property 
$1.472,916,45,  County  seat,  JSutton.  Newspapers,  ''The  Moun 
taineer,"  weekly,  at  Sutton. 

BROOKE  COUNTY. 

Brooke  county  is  hilly  and  rolling,  the  hills  being  quite 
high,  but  smooth,  and  capable  of  cultivation  to  their  summits. 
The  soils  are  clay,  and  calcareous  loams,  very  fertile,  and  in  a 
high  state  of  cultivation.  They  have  a  depth  on  the  hill  sides 
of  from  3  to  6  inches,  and  on  the  levels,  of  from  12  to  18  inches 
and  over.  Crops  best  adapted,  are  Corn,  Oats,  Wheat,  Barley, 
Buckwheat,  and  Grass.  Yields,  on  uplands  and  lowlands  are 
about  the  same,  viz:  Corn,  40  to  60  bushels;  Wheat  10  to  15 


RESOURCES    OF    WEST    VIRGINIA. 

bushels;  Oats,  30  to  45  bushels;  Rye,  10  bushels;  Grass,  1  to 
2  tons.  No  manures  are  used  for  these  yields.  The  farmers 
of  this  county,  as  well  as  of  the  adjoining  ones  of  the  Pan- 
Handle,  by  means  of  Timothy  and  Blue  Grass,  in  rotation  after 
grain  crops,  keep  the  land  in  a  high  state  of  productiveness. 
Value  of  the  land,  agricultural,  from  840  to  $100;  mineral 
land,  825  to  $100;  timber  land,  $40  to  $70  per  acre.  Princi 
pal  industries,  Farming,  Cattle  and  Sheep  raising,  and  Man 
ufacturing.  Principal  exports,  Sheep,  Wool,  Cattle  and  Grain. 
Markets,  Pittsburgh,  Wheeling,  Baltimore,  eastern  cities,  and 
points  on  the  river.  Minerals,  C^,d,  bit  :*ninous.  The  Pitts 
burgh  seam  is  above  water  level,  and  worked  for  local  use. 
Some  Sandstone,  fit  for  building.  Limestone  is  abundant. 
There  are  manufacturies  of  Mowing  Machin°s,  a  Woolen  Mill, 
a  Paper  Mill,  one  Brewery,  making  127  barrels  annually.  Cigar 
factories,  making  782,000  Cigars.  An  Iron  Foundry,  Machine 
Shops,  &c.,  besides  the  ordinary  Grist  and  Saw  Mills.  The 
Ohio  river  skirts  the  county,  and  is  navigable  for  steamboats. 
Good  roads  exist.  The  West  Virginia  Division  of  the  Peo 
ple's  Freight  Railroad  is  contemplated,  and  the  Pittsburgh, 
Wheeling  and  Kentucky  Railroad  is  partly  completed.  Schools 
and  Colleges,  Bethany  College,  and  27  Public  Schools;  Post- 
offices,  5;  Churches,  13:  Population,  5,464;  value  of  taxable 
property,  $2,739,77294;  County  Soat,  Wellsburg  ;  Newspa 
pers,  Panhandle  News,  and  We'kburg  Herald,  both  weekly. 

CABBLL    COUNTY. 

Cabell  county  is  hilly,  but  the  hills  are  low  and  easily  culti 
vated.  Wide  flats  are  found  along  the  Ohio  river,  and  also  on 
Mud  river,  and  some  on  the  lovver  Guyandotte  river.  These 
are  all  fine  lands,  with  small  exceptions.  The  uplands  have 
generally  a  productive  soil.  The  soil  is  clay  and  clay  loam, 
sometimes  quite  stiff.  The  hills  have  a  depth  of  soil  of  4  to 
6  inches,  and  the  bottoms  and  levels  a  depth  of  12  inches  to 
many  feet.  The  grains,  &c.,  which  do  well  are,  Corn,  Wheat, 
Oats,  Tobacco,  Rye,  and  Grasses.  Corn,  on  bottoms,  yields  40 
to  50  bushel;  Wheat,  10  bushels;  Oats,  40  to  50  bushels.  On 
uplands.  Corn,  25  bushels;  Wheat,  10  bushels;  Oats,  15  to  20 
bushels;  Rye,  12  bushels;  Tobacco,  no  estimate,  but  produces 
finely.  Value  of  land,  improved  agricultural,  hills,  $5  to  $20  ; 
bottoms,  340  to  $100.  Timber  land,  $2  to  $9.  Value  of  tim- 
47 


->/0  RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA. 

ber,  btumpage,  81  per  tree;  at  the  mills,  10  to  12^  cents  per 
cubic  foot.  Principal  industries:  farming  and  timber  getting, 
markets  for  timber  are  down  the  Ohio  river.  Minerals:  Coal, 
4  feet  seam  of  soft  bituminous,  above  water  level.  Some  Iron 
Ore,  fine  Yellow  Ochre,  good  Fire  and  Potter's  Clay,  good 
Building  Stones,  of  blue  and  grey  sandstones,  several  Salt 
Wells,  Magnesia,  Sulphur,  and  Chalybeate  Springs,  Limestone 
in  small  amounts.  Coal  is  worked  for  local  use.  Manufactures: 
Shop*  of  the  Ches.  &  Ohio  R.  R.  at  Hun  ting  ton,  also  the  Foun 
dry  of  the  Ensign  Iron'  Works,  for  making  Carwheels,  etc.; 
Planing  Mills,  and  Soap  Factory.  Near  Huntington  is  a  large 
Brush  Factory  at  St.  Cloud  ;  at  Guyando'tte  are  a  Woolen  Fac 
tory  and  a  large  Saw  Mill;  at  Milton  is  a  Steam  Saw  and 
Grist  Mill  ;  at  Barboursville  a  Tan-Yard  and  Grist  Mill. 
Streams:  The  Ohio  river  skirts  the  county,  and  Guyandotte 
and  Mud  rivers,  the  latter  both  navigable  for  canoes  and  light 
craft--,  and  Guyandotte  for  "push-boats"  some  distance  inland. 
Lines  of  Trans  portion  :  Ohio  river,  Ches.  &  Ohio  R.  R.,  Guy 
andotte  and  Mud  rivers.  Contemplated  Improvements:  The 
Locking  and  Damming  of  the  Guyandotte  river,  also,  of  Mud. 
Railroads  projected  :  Guyandotte  R.  R.,  Guyandotte  &  Ohio 
River  R.  R.,  Mud  River  R.  R.,  The  West  Virginia  R.  R.  Pub 
lic  Institutions:  Marshall  College,  the  State  Normal  School  at 
Huntington,  Public  Schools,  49 ;  Post  Offices,  13;  Churches,  13. 
Population,  6,429;  Taxable  Property,  82902,46639.  County 
Seat,  Barboursville ;  Newspapers:  Huntington  Advertiser  and 
Huntington  Commercial,  both  weekly. 

CALHOTJN    COUNTY. 

This  county  is  hilly,  and  the  land  is  generally  good.  Since 
a  great  deal  deal  of  it  is  owned  in  very  large  tracts,  there  is 
not  much  land  in  cultivation.  The  soils  are  sandy  and  clayey 
loams,  being  about  15  inches  deep  in  the  bottoms  and  6  to  8 
inches  on  the  hiils.  The  crop  yields  given  in  the  reports  for 
this  county  are  so  unsatisfactory  that  we  cannot  quote  them. 
No  manures  are  usfd. 

The  value  of  the  agricultural  land  is  :  85,  to  -$20,  per  acre; 
of  the  timber  land,  33  to  $10  :  value  of  Timber,  stumpage,  50 
cents  to  81  per  tree,  and  at  the  mills  8  to  10  cents  per  cubic 
foot.  The  principal  Industries  are,  .Farming  grazing,  and 
lumbering.  The  principal  export  is  Lumber;  principal  rnar- 


RESOURCES    OF    WEST    VIRGINIA.  371 

kets,  Baltimore  for  Stock,  and  Pittsburgh,  Baltimore,  and  Par- 
kersburg.  for  Lumber:  principal  minerals,  Limestone  for 
building  and  Agricultural  purposes  ;  good  Sandstone  for  build 
ing,  and  Coal  below  water  level,  except  in  the  southern  part, 
where  it  will  be  fonnd  in  the  hills;  principal  manufactures,  8 
Grist  Mills,  uorked  mainly  by  steam,  though  the  water  pow 
er  is  good  and  extensive.  The  principal  streams  are  the  Lit 
tle  Kanawha  and  its  tributaries:  the  former  is  navigable  to 
Glenville  on  winter  and  spring  tides,  and  to  Burning  Spring 
the  whole  year,  per  batteaux.  In  good  water  steamboats  go  to 
the  latter  place.  Steer  creek  is  navigable  for  batteaux  as  far 
as  Stumptown.  Thu  means  of  transportation  are  the  Little 
Kanawha  river  and  county  roads.  The  contemplated  improve 
ments  are,  the  locking  and  damming  of  the  Little  Kanawha 
through  the  county,  and  the  building  of  the  Washington  and 
Ohio  R.  R.  Public  Schools,  31  ;  Post  Offices,  6;  Churches,  13. 
Population,  2939;  value  of  taxable  property,  $513,972  00. 
County  seat,  Grantsville. 

CIiAY     COUNTY. 

Clay  is  an  extremely  hilly  county,  the  hills  being  very 
high  above  the  bottoms  (800  to  1,000  feet),  and  having  narrow 
tops.  The  valleys  are  very  narrow,  and  the  streams  are 
deeply  sunken  below  the  surface.  The  land  is  mostly 
wild,  and  in  very  large  tracts.  The  hills  are  usually 
too  steep  to  cultivate  to  advantage,  but  have  a  pretty  deep 
and  fertile  soil,  it  being  4  to  6  inches  on  the  hills,  and  12 
inches  or  more  on  the  level  lands.  The  soil  in  some  parts, 
is  a  stiff  clay,  and  in  others,  a  clay  loam  or  sandy  loam,  which 
is  naturally  fertile.  Grains  adapted  to  the  lands,  are  Corn, 
Wheat,  Oats,  Rye,  &c.  The  yields  on  the  hills  and  level  lands 
do  not  differ  much.  Corn  yields  25  bushel?,  Oats  20  bushel?, 
Rye  10  bushels,  Wheat  8  bushels,  Potatoes  50  to  100  bushels, 
Turnips,  100  to  200  bushels.  No  manures  are  used  for  these 
yields.  In  general,  the  averages  given  for  the  grain  yields  in 
the  counties,  will  be  those  obtained  without  manures.  Value 
of  land  :  Agricultural  land  is  worth  about  $5  per  acre,  Min 
eral  land  the  same,  and  timber  land,  $2  per  acre.  Timber  is 
worth  10  to  20  cents  per  log,  stumpage,  and  at  the  mills,  7  to 
8  cents  per  cubic  foot.  The  principal  industry  is  lumbering, 
and  the  principal  .exports  are  Saw-logs,  Hoop-poles,  Staves, 


372  RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA. 

&c.,  which  all  go  to  Charleston.  Minerals  :  Coals,  Splint, 
Cannel,  and  Soft  Bituminous,  all  in  workable  quantities,  in 
fine  seams  above  water  level.  Iron  Ore  in  workable  beds  is 
found.  Some  Limestone,  and  some  good  Sandstones  for  build 
ing.  Streams :  Elk  river  is  the  principal  stream,  and  is  nav 
igable  70  miles  from  its  mouth  for  small  steamboats,  and  100 
miles,  to  Sutton,  for  batteaux.  It  is  proposed  to  lock  and  dam 
Elk  river  in  Braxton  county.  The  same  proposed  railroads 
pass  through  Clay  that  penetrate  Braxton.  Public  Schools 
21,  Postoffices,  6,  Churches  2,  Population  2,196.  Value  of 
taxable  property,  $399,879.50.  County  seat,  Clay  C.  H. 

DODDRIDGE  COUNTY. 

The  surface  of  Doddridge  is  rolling  and  hilly,  with  average 
bottoms.  The  soil  is  loam  and  clay-loam,  with  a  depth  on  the 
levels  of  15  inches,  and  on  the  hills  of  4  to  6  inches.  A  good 
deal  of  the  land  has  fine  timber  on  it.  The  grains  best  adapt 
ed  to  the  soil,  are  Corn,  Oats,  Buckwheat,  and  Wheat.  On 
the  bottoms,  the  yields  are:  Corn,  30  to  50  bushels;  Wheat, 
10  to  15  bushels;  Oats,  25  to .35  bushels;  Rye,  20  bushels ;  Po 
tatoes  and  Turnips,  100  bushels.  On  the  hills,  Corn,  25  bush 
els  :  wheat  8  to  10  bushels :  Oats  20  bushels ;  Potatoes,  50 
to  100  bushels.  No  manure  used  for  these.  The  value  of 
the  agricultural  land  is  $7  to  $20;  mineral  lands,  810;  timber 
lands,  85  to  $15.  The  timber  is  worth  $1  per  tree  stum  page, 
and  lumber  $12  50  per  1000  at  the  mills.  The  principal  in 
dustries  are.  Farming,  Lumbering  and  Grazing.  The  prin 
cipal  exports,  are  Timber  and  Stock.  Market  for  stock.  Balti 
more  ;  market  for  timber,  Baltimore  and  other  points  east. 
Doddridge  sends  out  a  large  amout  of  cooperage  stuff,  sawed 
lumber,  and  ship  timber  from  Smithton,  West  Union  and 
other  points  on  the  railroad,  and  down  Middle  Island  creek. 
Coal  in  workable  seams  is  found  above  water  level.  Some 
Limestone  for  building  and  agricultural  purposes.  Steam  and 
water  Grist  and  Saw  Mills  exist.  The  coal  is  mined  only  for 
local  use.  The  only  stream  is  Middle  Island  creek,  navigable 
in  winter,  and  in  full  stanres  of  water,  for  rafts  and  flat  boats. 
The  lines  of  transportation  are,  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  rail 
road,  and  the  Middle  Island  railroad,  a  tram  road  22j  miles 
long,  passing  through  the  southern  part  of  Doddridge,  in 
order  to  develope  the  timber,  &c.,  and  several  turnpikes. 
Public  Schools,  59.  Postoffices,  13  ;  Churches,  28  ;  Population, 


RESOURCES    OF    WEST    VIRGINIA.  373 

7,076.  Value  of  taxable  property,  81.406,560  09.  County 
Seat,  West  Union.  Newspapers,  West  Union  lObscrrer,  and  the 
Baptist  Messenger,  both  weekly. 

FAYETTE    COUNTY. 

The  surface  of  Fayette,  is  hilly,  mountainous,  and  high 
tableland.  The  hills  and  mountains  usually  are  not  precipi 
tous,  and  have  a  fertile  soil,  the  soil  is  a  rich  light  loam,  and 
a  sandy  loam,  which  is  well  suited  for  the  culture  of  Tobacco, 
There  are  some  fine  bottom  lands  on  Meadow  River,  the  soil 
is  6  inches  deep  on  the  hills,  and  12  inches  or  more,  on  the  lev 
els.  The  grains  and  crops,  especially  suited  to  the  land-1,  are. 
Corn,  Oats,  Wheat,  Rye,  Tobacco,  and  Grass.  The  principal 
exports  are  Coal,  Timber,  Tobacco,  and  Stock.  Principal  in 
dustries,  are  Coal,  Mining,  Farming,  Lumbering,  and  Stock 
raising,  Markets.  The  tobacco  goes  to  Richmond,  Stock  to 
Baltimore,  Timber  to  New  York,  and  Cincinnati. 

Minerals :  Coal  in  large  amounts,  in  fine  workable  seams, 
Soft  bituminous,  Splint,  and  Cannel,  the  two  former  are  those 
mined  and  shipped.  Some  limestone,  but  poor.  Fine  sand 
stone  for  building  purposes.  The  mineral  waters  are  Alum, 
and  Chalybeate.  Several  important  Coal  mines  are  in  opera 
tion  in  this  county,  they  are  the  Gauly  Kanawha  Coal  Co. 
(limited),  Longdale  Coal  and  Iron  Co;  New  River  Car  Co.; 
Nutallburg  Mines  ;  Coal  Valley  Coal  Co.  and  a  new  Mine  now 
being  opened  by  George  Straughan,  besides  these,  there  are  sev 
eral  Mills  and  Factories,  amcng  which  we  may  mention  the 
Fayetteville  Tobacco  Factory,  making  2568  pounds  yearly 
Junction  Saw  Mill  Co  ;  Atlantic  Barrel  Co ;  Koontsman  &  Go's. 
Shook  and  Stave  Factory ;  Kanawha  Falls  Lumber  Co. 

The  principal  streams,  are  the  Gauley,  New  and  Kanawha 
rivers.  The  Kanawha  is  navigable  six  months  tor  steam 
boats,  and  12  months  for  batteaux  ;  Gauley,  8  months  for  bat- 
teaux,  and  12  months  for  canoes  for  12  miles  ;  New  river  in  the 
lower  part  is  too  rough  for  canoes  even,  in  the  upper  part  it  is 
navigable  for  batteaux.  The  lines  of  transportation,  are  the 
rivers,  and  the  Chesapeake  &  Ohio  R.  R.,  and  the  Jarnes  river 
and  Kanawha  turnpike. 

Contemplated  improvements;  locking  and  damming  Kana 
wha  and  New  Rivers,  and  the  continuation  of  the  James  river 
and  Kanawha  canal,  from  its  present  eastern  terminus. 

Public  Schools,  63 ;  Post  Offices,  23 ;  Churches;  10.    Popula- 


374  RESOURCES   OF    WEST  VIRGINIA. 

tion  6647.     Value  of  taxable  property  $1.440,839,83.    County 
seat,  Fayetteville;  Newspapers,  fayetteville  Enterprise,  weekly. 

GILMER    COUNTY. 

Gilmer  county  is  billy,  and  bas  a  rich  soil.  There  are 
some  fine  bottoms  with  loam  and  sand.  Red  calcareous  clay 
and  sandy  loams  are  found  on  the  hills.  On  the  levels  the 
soil  is  12  to  14  inches  deep,  on  the  level  6  to  8  inches.  It  is  espe 
cially  adapted  to  Corn  and  Grass.  Wheat  does  best  on  the 
hills.  The  county  has  fine  forrest  range  for  cattle. 

Some  of  the  level  land  grows  80  to  105  bushels  of  corn. 
The  average  yields  are,  on  the  bottoms,  Corn,  40  bushels; 
Oats,  15  to  25 ;  Turnips,  150.  On  the  hills,  Corn  yields  20 
bushels;  Wheat,  10  to  15  ;  Oats,  10  to  25;  Turnips,  100.  The 
Tobacco  grown  on  the  hills  is  large,  bright,  and  very  fine  ;  on 
the  bottoms,  it  is  large  and  heavy.  Little  or  no  attention  is 
paid  to  manures. 

The  value  of  agricultural  land,  slightly  improved,  is  $5  to 
$10  per  acre  ;  of  the  improved,  $10  to  $25 ;  of  the  timber  land, 
$2  to  5.  The  principal  industries  are  farming,  stock  raising, 
and  lumbering.  The  principal  exports  are  timber  and  stock. 
The  markets  are,  for  stook,  Baltimore  and  eastern  cities ;  for 
timber,  Parkersburg  and  Pittsburgh.  Principal  Minerals: 
Coal,  and  Sandstone  for  building  purposes.  The  principal 
manufactures  are  two  steam  saw  mills  on  Tanner's  Fork,  and 
one  at  Troy,  as  well  as  various  grist  mills,  both  steam  and 
water.  The  means  of  transportation  are,  by  the  Little  Kana- 
wha,  which  is  navigable  for  batteaux  and  rafts  9  months  of 
the  year,  and  by  various  county  roads  and  turnpikes.  The 
principal  stream  is  the  Little  Kaiiawha,  on  which,  on  rare  oc 
casions,  steamboats  have  been  as  far  as  Glenville.  The  contem 
plated  improvements  are  :  The  locking  and  damming  of  the 
Little  Kanawha  to  Glenville,  and  the  building  of  the  Wash 
ington  and  Ohio  railroad.  Schools,  &c.:  Glenville  Normal 
School,  at  Glenville;  Public  Schools,  40;  Postoffices,  13; 
Churches,  14.  Population,  4,338.  Value  of  taxable  property, 
$856,174.00.  County  seat,  Glenville. 

GRANT  COUNTY. 

Grant  county  is  rolling  table  land,  and  mountainous,  with 
fine  broad  bottoms  on  the  streams.  Much  of  the  county  is  in 
the  original  forest,  and  the  land  is  in  both  small  and  large 
tracts.  The  soil  along  the  streams,  is  exceedingly  fertile,  and 


RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA.  375 

much  of  the  rolling  table  land  has  a  very  productive  soil,  as  is 
shown  by  the  exceedingly  fine  timber  which  covers  it.  The 
soil  of  the  bottoms  is  a  deep  loam,  of  the  upland.-,  sandy  loam. 
It  is  slaty  and  thin,  on  some  of  the  hills  and  mountains. 
Depth  on  hills,  0  to  4  inches,  on  bottoms,  12 inches  to  many 
feet.  Crops  best  adapted,  are:  Corn,  Wheat,  Oat?,  Rye,  Grass. 
Corn  yields,  on  bottoms,  50  to  80  bushels  ;  Wheat  1.0  to  25 
bushels;  Oats,  30  to  50  bushels  ;  Potatoes,  75  to  200  bushels. 
On  uplands,  Corn  25  to  40  bushels  ;  Wheat  8  to  10  bushels. 
The  principal  industries  are  farming  and  grazing.  Piinci- 
pal  exports,  Cattle,  Sheep,  Hogs,  Grain.  No  development  has 
been  made  of  the  timber  of  this  county.  The  vast  amount  of 
Hemlock  and  Black  Spruce,  etc.,  on  the  west  face  of  the  Alle- 
ghany,  points  to  this  as  an  important  source  of  future  reve 
nue.  The  markets  for  Cattle,  are  Baltimore  and  Philadelphia, 
and  New  York  for  the  best  cattle.  This  county,  with  the 
others  of  the  ''South  Branch  District,"  is  emphatically  a  cat 
tle  and  grain  producing  region,  Bottom  lands  are  worth  835 
to  $100;  hill  lands,  S5  to  810  per  acre.  There  is  no  market 
for  timber  except  the  home  ones.  At  the  mills  plank  is  worth 
812  to  820  per  1000.  Minerals:  Coal,  in  large  and  workable 
seams  above  water  level;  Iron  in  abundance,  both  red  fossilif- 
erous  and  brown  haematite  ;  Limestone  in  large  amounts, 
good  for  agricultural  and  building  purposes;  some  Hydraulic 
Limestone.  Mineral  Springs,  white  sulphur  and  chalybeate. 
Principal  stream,  South  Branch  of  the  Potomac.  This  was 
used  for  boating  flour  and  grain,  before  the  completion  of  the 
Baltimore  &  Ohio  Railroad.  The  present  lines  of  transporta 
tion  are,  the  Baltimore  &  Ohio  Railroad,  and  various  mud 
pikes  leading  to  it.  Contemplated  lines :  Washington  &  O. 
Railroad,  Cumberland,  Moorefield  &  Broadway. Railroad,  North 
Branch  Railroad,  Potomac  &  Ohio  Railroad.  Public  Schools, 
41;  Postoffices,  10;  Churches,  12;  Population,  4,467;  value 
of  taxable  property,  81,835.533  21;  County  Seat.  Grant  C/H. 
Three  small  Woolen  Factories  exist  in  the  county,  and  it  is 
intended  to  establish  an  Agricultural  Fair  next  year.  (1877.) 

GREENERIES    COUNTY. 

This  county,  on  the  eastern  and  western  sides,  is  moun 
tainous,  the  western  mountains  rising  high  above  the  sea,  but 
not  so  much  in  proportion  above  their  bases.  They  are  not 
too  rugged  for  cultivation  in  parts,  or  for  grazing.  The  cen- 


376  RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA. 

tral  portion  is  a  rolling  plateau,  embracing  very  fertile  and 
highly  cultivated  grass  and  grain  lands.  The  soil  on  the 
eastern  and  western  sides  is  a  red  clay,  or  clay  loam.  In  the 
central  portion,  over  the  limestone,  the  soil  is  yellowish,  red 
clayey,  and  calcareous  loams.  The  depths  on  the  hills  is  4  to 
6  inches;  on  the  levels*  12  to  18  inches.  The  crops  best 
adapted  to  the  land,  are  Corn,  Wheat,  Oats,  Buckwheat,  Grass. 
Corn  produces  on  the  levels,  20  to  40  bushels ;  Wheat,  15  bush 
els:  Oats,  30;  Buckwheat,  30;  Potatoes,  100;  on  the  hills  corn 
produces  10  to  15  bushels:  Oats  15 ;  Wheat,  8;  Buckwheat,  35; 
Potatoes,  75.  No  manures  used  for  these  yields.  The  value  of 
the  land  is:  Best  Agricultural,  820  to  $50:  second-class  and 
rougher  land,  with  less  improvements,  but  some  subsoil,  82  to 
$10  ;  Timber  lands,  81.50  to  $6:  Iron  and  Coal  lands  are  worth 
from  $2.50  up  to  8100,  according  to  distance  from  railroad  and 
richness  of  deposit.  In  the  X.  part,  near  the  Greenbrier  river, 
is  a  good  deal  of  valuable  timber,  especially  White  Pine. 

Timber  is  worth,  stumpage,  81.25  par  1,000  feet;  at  the  mill, 
86  to  $7. 50.  The  principal  industries  are  farming  and  stock- 
raising-  The  principal  exports  are  grass-fed  Cattle,  Sheep, 
Horses,  Wool,  &c  The  county  is  emphatically  a  grazing  one- 

The  market  for  stock  is  Baltimore ;  some  goes  to  Rich 
mond.  Surplus  grain  is  fed  to  shipping  stock.  Horses  go  to 
North  Carolina  and  East  Virginia.  For  timber,  Baltimore, 
and  other  eastern  cities.  In  the  western  part,  some  workable 
seams  of  Coal ;  fine  workable  Iron  Ores  on  Anthony's  and  How 
ard's  creeks,  and  elsewhere  ;  Limestone  in  abundance,  of  all 
qualities  for  agricultural,  building,  and  hydraulic  lime  ;  Clays 
suitable  for  rough  crocks  are  found,  and  these  were  made,  for 
years,  at  Lewisbnrg.  Excellent  grit  for  grindstones  is  found. 
Mineral  Springs:  White  Sulphur,  Blue  Sulphur,  and  Alum. 
Many  Chalybeate  springs.  Coal  was  formerly  worked  on 
Little  Sewell,  and  hauled  22  miles  to  Lewisburg,  now  discon 
tinued,  on  account  of  more  ready  transport  on  the  C.  &  O.  rail 
road,  for  the  coals  further  west.  Manufactories  :  four  Carding 
Mills,  three  Woolen  Mills,  one  Tan  Yard,  exporting  leather? 
and  several  smaller  one,-?,  St.  Lawrence  Boom  and  Manufactur 
ing  Company.  The  Greenbrier  river  is  the  principal  stream, 
and  is  navigable  for  canoes  and  batteaux  on  rises.  Means  of 
transportation,  Chesapeake  and  Ohio  railroad,  and  turnpikes. 


RESOURCES   OF   WEST   VIRGINIA.  377 

Contemplated  lines,  the  Pittsburgh,  Virginia  and  Charleston 
railroad.  Schools',  Lewisburg  Female  Institute,  High  School 
at  Frankford,  and  68  Public  Schools;  Postoffices,  22;  Churches, 
35.  Population,  11,417.  Taxable  property,  $4,524,562.59. 
County  seat,  Lewsburg.  Newspaper,  Greenbrier  Independent, 
weekly.  . 

HAMPSHIRE  COUNTY. 

Hampshire  county  is  composed  of  mountains,  rolling  hills, 
and  bottom  lands,  in  the  proportion  of  two-fifths  mountains, 
two-fifths  hills,  and  one-fifth  bottom  land.     Soil  on  the  uplands, 
4  to  8  inches,  of  a  light  loamy  character.      On  the  hills,  the 
soil  is  sandy  and  clayey,  5  to  10  inches  deep,  and  is  especially 
adapted  to  grazing  and  rfmall  grain.      In  the  bottoms,  the  soil 
is  a  black  and  sandy  loam,  3  to  15  feet  deep,  and  brings  im 
mense  crops  of  Corn,  Wheat,  Potatoes,  Hay,  etc.,  without  rota 
tion  or  fertilizers.   The  grains  especially  adapted  to  the  county 
are,  Corn.  Wheat,  Oats,  Rye,  and  Buckwheat.      The  yields  on 
the  bottoms  are  on  an  average,  Corn,  50  bushels;  Wheat,  20 
bushels ;   Oats,   40   bushels ;    Potatoes,   100    bushels ;   Hay,   2 
tons.      On  the  upland-!,  Corn  produces  25  bushels;  Wheat,  12 
bushels;  Oats,  25  bushels;  Buckwheat,  25  bushels.      A  little 
barn  yard  manure  is  sometimes  used  on  the  uplands.     No  Fair 
is  held  in  the  counties  of  the  South  Branch  district.     They 
are  represented  at  the  Fairs  held  at   Winchester,  Virginia. 
The  bottom  lands  sell  for  $100  per  acre,  and  upwards.     Clay 
and  hill  land  from  $5  to  $30.     Timber  lands  from  50  cents  to 
$10  per  acre.     There  is  no  fixed  price  for  mineral  lands,  of 
-which  there  are  large  areas.     Hardly  anything  is  done  in  tim 
ber,  except  for  home  consumption.      Price  on  stump,  25  cents 
per  hundred.    At  the  mill,  $12  50  to  $15.00  per  thousand.    The 
principal  industries  are  farming  and  stock  raising.     The  prin 
cipal  exports,  are  Cattle,  Horses,  Hogs,  Wheat,  etc.     Of  these, 
cattle  are  by  far  the  most  important,  since  all  the  counties  of 
this  district,  make  the  fattening  of  Cattle  their  main  business. 
The  heavy  Cattle  go  to  New  York,  and  the  lighter  to  Baltimore 
and  Philadelphia,  these  latter  cities  not  having  a  sufficient 
demand  for  the  finer  grades.     The  cattle  are  grazed  on  the 
uplands  and  mountains,  in  summer,  and  fed  on  corn  in  winter. 
Hence  all  the  corn   raised   is  consumed  at   home.     Wheat, 
Oats,  Rye,  and  small  marketing  find  sale  in  Cumberland  and 


378  RESOURCES   OF   WEST   VIRGINIA. 

the  mines  around.     Excellent  Iron  ores,  both  red  fossil  iferous 
and  brown  haematite,  are  found  in  workable  deposits  in  the 
county,  and  are  smelted  at  the    Bloomery  Furnace.      Good 
limestone  for  building  and  agricultural  purposes  is  found,  and 
some  potters  clay,  which  is  worked  by  a  pottery  on  Xorth 
river.     One  at  Glencoe  has  suspended  operations.     Good  sand 
stones  for  building  are  found,  and  a  deposit  of  fine  glass  sand 
also.     The  celebrated  Capon  Mineral  Springs  are  found  in  this 
county.     The  iron  ore  is  worked  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Bloom 
ery  Furnace.     Besides  this  last,  there  are  among  the  manufac 
tories,  three   woolen   factories.     The   Big   Capon   and   South 
Branch   run  through  the  county,  and  are  navigable  for  bat- 
teau\'  in  seasons  of  full   water  in   winter  and  spring.     The 
North  Branch  of  the  Potomac  skirts  it  on  the  north,  to  which 
the  same  remarks  apply.     The  present  lines  of  transportation 
are  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  Railroad,  which  runs  through  the 
northern  part,  and  the  county  roads  and  pikes.     Contempla 
ted  lines  aiM :    The  Washington  and  Ohio  Railroad,  the  South 
Branch  Railroad,  the   West   Virginia  Railroad,  the   Potomac 
and  Ohio  Railroad.     The  Deaf  and  Dumb  Asylum  is  at  Rom- 
ney.     Public  school-?,  51.    Postoffic^s,  22.    Churches,  15.    Pop 
ulation,    7,643.      Valu*   of     taxable    property,   $2,542,408.82. 
County  seat,   Roinney,  with  600  inhabitants.      Newspapers, 
South  Branch  Intelligencer,  weekly. 

HANCOCK  COUNTY. 

This  is  the  most  northerly  county  in  the  State.  It  is  hilly 
and  somewhat  broken,  with  the  hills  quite  high,  and  valleys 
narrow.  The  soil  is  the  usual  calcareous  and  clayey  loam  of 
the  Pan-Han  lie  counties.  The  depth  on  the  hillsides  is  from 
5  to  7  inches,  being  deeper,  as  is  usual  in  the  counties  of  this 
part  of  the  State,  on  the  north  sides  of  the  hills.  On  the  levels 
and  bottoms,  it  is  from  12  inches,  to  many  feet.  The  crops 
best  adapted  to  them,  are  Corn,  Oats,  Barley,  Wheat,  and  espe 
cially  grain.  All  the  calcareous  lands  of  the  Pan-Handle, 
bring  fine  Blue  Grass,  Timothy,  Clover,  etc.,  while  the  height 
of  the  hills  make  them  well  adapted  to  the  pasturage  of  sheep. 
The  hills  and  levels  produce  equally  well.  Corn  yields  50  to 
75  bushels;  Oats,  40  bushels;  Wheat,  15  bushels;  Pototoes, 
100  to  200  bushel  >;  Hay,  H-  to  2J  tons.  No  manures  are  used 
for  these  yields.  Value  of  improved  agricultural  lands,  $50  to 


RESOURCES    OF    WEST   VIRGINIA.  379 

WO  per  acre,  and  over.  Mineral  lands:  Coal,  £50.  Timber 
land,  $30.  No  timber  sold  except  for  home  use.  Principal 
industries,  Sheep  and  Wool  growing,  Farming,  and  manufac 
turing  of  Fire  Clay.  Principal  exports.  Sheep,  Wool,  various 
products  of  the  manufacture  of  Fire  Clay,  such  as  bricks, 
drainage  pipes,  etc.  Markets :  For  grain,  etc.,  home;  for 
Sheep,  Wool,  etc,  eastern  cities.  Minerals:  Good  Coal,  in 
workable  beds  above  wat.er  level.  Good  sandstone,  for  build 
ing.  Limestone  in  abundance  for  building  and  agricultural 
purposes.  Large  deposits  of  excellent  fire  clay,  which  is 
largely  manufactured.  Principal  stream,  the  Ohio  river, 
which  is  navigable  for  go  xl  sized  steamers.  Manufactories : 
One  woolen  mill,  several  flouring  mills,  and  about  20  c  mipan- 
ies  engaged  in  mining  and  manufacturing  fire  clay,  brick,  etc., 
affording  employment  to  from  200  to  300  hands.  Public 
schools,  21.  Churches,  7.  Postofnces,  6.  Population,  4,363. 
Taxable  property,  £2,052,676.11.  County  seat,  Fairview. 
Newspaper,  Hancock  Courier,  weekly. 

HAKDY    COUNTY, 

The  same  remarks  apply  to  the  topography  and  soil,  crops, 
yields,  value  of  land  and  timber,  principal  industries,  market*, 
and  exports  of  Hardy,  that  were  made  concerning  these  points 
in  connection  with  Hampshire.  The  deposits  of  Iron  in  Hardy 
are  larger  than  those  in  Hampshire.  They  are  worked  at  the 
Capon  Iron  Works.  Hardy  has  a  great  number  of  Mineral 
Springs,  Alum,  Sulphur  and  Chalybeate,  none  of  which  are 
>*.  improved.  The  Hardy  White  Sulphur  Springs  are  consid- 
p  ered  by  some  equal  to  the  Greenbrier  White  Sulphur.  Near 
Moorefif'ld  good  fire  clay  is  found,  also  pipe  and  potter's  clay, 
whi'vi  last  has  been  worked  to  some  extent.  Good  lime  for 
hail  ling  and  agricultural  purposes,  and  the  fluxing  of  iron 
exists.  Good  sandstone  for  building  are  also  found.  Iron  is 
mine -I  for  Capon  Furnace.  The  principal  streams  are,  the 
South  Branch  of  the  Potomac  and  Capon  river,  both  navigable 
for  hatteaux  and  canoes  one-half  of  the  year.  Transportation 
is  to  the  Bait.  &  Ohio  R.  R.  by  county  roads,  and  to  the  Valley 
R.  R.  in  Virginia.  Contemplated  lines~are,  the  Washington 
.v  Ohio  R.  R.,  the  Cumberland,  Moorefield  & 'Broadway  R.  R., 
pntomac  &  Ohio  R.  R.,  the  West  Virginia  R.  R.  Schools: 
High  School  for  males  and  Seminary  for  girls,  at  Moorefield, 


380  RESOURCES  OP   WEST   VIRGINIA. 

and  36  Public  Schools;  Post-Offices,  11  ;  Churches,  9.  Popula 
tion  5,518  ;  value  of  taxable  property,  $2,812,194  37.  County 
seat,  Moofielrl,  a  thriving  village  with  850  inhabitants.  News 
papers,  Moorefield  Courier  and  Advertiser  and  Moorfield  Weekly 
Examiner,  both  weekly. 

HARRISON    COUNTY. 

The  surface  in  Harrison  is  rolling  and  hilly.     The  hills  are 
broad  and  low,  comparatively  speaking,  and  the  valleys  wide. 

The  county  has  much  improved  land  with  good  soil,  and  is 
well  cultivated.  The  soil  is  mainly  clay  loam  and  calcareous 
loam,  6  to  8  inches  deep  on  the  hills  and  from  12  inches  to  18 
inches  on  the  levels.  Crops  best  suited  are  Corn,  Oats,  Wheat, 
Rye,  and  especially  grass.  The  Blue  Grass  sods  over  the  land 
spontaneously.  The  county  is  pre-eminently  a  grazing  one. 
Hills  and  levels  yield  about  alike.  Corn,  30  to  60  bu-h^ls ; 
Wheat,  10  to  15  bushels;  Oats,  15  to  25  bushels;  Rye,  15  to  25 
bushels.  The  Central  Agricultural  and  Mechanical  Society 
holds  an  annual  Fair  at  Clarksburg,  where  $1,550  (about)  are 
distributed  in  premiums.  The  prices  of  improved  agricultu 
ral  land  is  825  to  $50  per  acre,  of  mineral  land  (Coal),  $75  to 
$100  per  acre,  of  timber  land,  $10  to  $15  per  acre.  The  timber 
of  Harrison  is  not  so  abundant  as  that  in  the  counties  farther 
west,  though  still  considerable  in  amount.  Price,  stumpage, 
$2,50  per  1,000  feet;  after  sawing  $10  to  $12  50  per  1,000  feet, 
The  principal  industries  are  Stock  raising,  Farming,  and  Coal 
mining.  Principal  exports,  Stock,  Coal  and  Lumber.  Mar 
kets  for  Stock,  Baltimore  ;  for.  Grain  and  General  Produce, 
Clarksburg  and  other  home  markets ;  Coal  is  sent,  for  gas  ma 
king,  to  the  eastern  cities;  Timber  goes  to  Pittsburgh,  mainly 
White  Oak  and  Poplar  logs,  Lumber  as  cooperage  stuff,  and 
sawed  stuff  goes  east.  Minerals  :  Coal  in  large  quantites  above 
water  level;  Limestone,  both  for  agricultural  and  building 
purposes  ;  Potter's  Clay  exists,  and  has  been  worked  :  Sand 
stone  of  good  quality  for  building  is  found ;  several  mines  of 
Coal  are  worked  on  a  large  scale  for  gas  making  ;  among  them 
are  the  Despard  Coal  Company,  The  Murphy's  Run  Coal  Com 
pany,  Harrison  County  Coal  Company,  Wakeman  Mines, 
Monongahela  Gas  Coal  Company,  &c.,  Harrison  county  is 
well  supplied  with  mills  and  manufactories.  They  are  as  fol 
lows  :  Three  Cheese  Factories,  1  Pottery,  8  Tanneries,  16  Grist 


RESOURCES  OP   WEST    VIRGINIA.  381 

and  Saw  Mills,  7  Flour  and  Saw  Mills,  4  Saw  Mills  (3  porta 
ble),  3  Grist  Mills,  2  Flour  Mills,  1  Flour  Mill  with  Saw  and 
Carding,  1  Flour  Mill  and  Woolen  Factory,  J_  Portable  Saw 
Mill  and  Machine  Shop,  making  doors,  sash,  <fcc.,  1  Flour 
Mill  with  wood-working  machinery,  1  Saw  Mill  with  wood 
working  machinery,  1  Planing  Mill  with  machinery  for  ma 
king  doors,  sash,  &c.,  1  Foundry  and  Machine  Shop  and  Man 
ufacture  of  Saw-Mill  Truck  Cars.  1  Foundry  with  machinery 
for  making  Portable  Grist  and  Saw  Mills,  Truck  Cars,  Porta 
ble  Engines,  &c.,  &c.  The  principal  stream  is  the  West  Fork 
of  the  Monongahela,  navigable  for  rafts  and  batteaux  during 
high  water.  Means  of  transportation  are,  the  Bait.  &  Ohio  R. 
R.  and  turnpikes.  Contemplated  lines  are,  The  Buckhannon 
Mineral  R.  R.,  Northern  &  Southern  West  Virginia  R.  R., 
The  Weston  and  W.  Fork  R.  R.  Schools :  Academy  at  Clarks 
burg,  and  101  Public  Schools;  Post-Offices,  25  ;  Churches,  57. 
Population,  16,714;  value  of  taxable  property  $7,331,48648. 
County  Seat,  Clarksburg,  a  thriving  town,  with  a  population 
of  about  1,600  inhabitants.  Newspapers  Clarksburg  Telegram 
and  The  News,  both  weekly. 

JACKSON  COUNTY. 

The  surface  of  the  county  is  hilly  and  rolling,  the  hills 
to  the  eastward  becoming  quite  high.  All  are  somewhat 
rough.  Considerable  flats  are  found  on  the  Ohio  river,  which 
skirts  the  county  for  30  miles.  Along  this,  the  bottoms  avere 
age  \  mile.  The  bottoms  on  Mill  and  Sandy  creeks,  averag 
200  yards.  These  are,  as  is  usual  in  this  part  of  the  State,  very 
productive  The  soils  vary  a  good  deal,  being  a  heavy  clay, 
calcareous  loam,  and  sandy  loam,  in  different  locations.  About 
-J  of  the  county  is  in  timber,  some  being  very  fine.  The  depth 
of  soil  on  the  hills  is  6  to  8  inches  ;  on  the  levels  and  bottoms, 
1  foot  to  many.  On  the  bottoms  Corn  yields  40  to  60  bush 
els;  Wheat,  12  to  15  bushels;  Oats,  40  to  50  bushels;  Potatoes, 
100  to  150  bushels;  Hay,  1  to  2  tons.  These  are  the  crops, 
along  with  Tobacco,  best  suited  to  the  lands.  On  the  hills, 
Corn  yields  25  to  30  bushels ;  Wheat  10  to  12  bushels ;  Oats, 
25  bushels  ;  Potatoes,  75  to  100  bushels.  No  manures  are 
used  for  these  yields.  It  is  proposed  to  establish  an  Agricul 
tural  Fair  at  Ripley,  the  county  seat,  under  the  auspices  of 
the  Patrons  of  Husbandry.  Price  ot  improved  bottom  lands, 


382  RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA. 

from  $40  to  $70  ;  Upland  Farming  land,  85  to  $20;  Timber 
land,  $4  to  $8.  The  timber  is  worth,  stumpage,  $1  per  tree  • 
sawed  at  the  mills,  $5  to  $12.50  per  1,000.  The  principal 
industries  are,  farming,  cattle-raising,  and  lumbering.  The 
principal  exports  are,  Timber,  Stock,  and  Grain,  and  Tobacco. 
The  markets  for  the  Timber  are  down  the  Ohio  river;  for 
grain,  along  the  Ohio;  for  stock,  Baltimore.  Minerals  :  Coal 
in  small  seams,  enough  for  local  use,  above  water  level :  some 
Iron  Ore  in.  workable  quantities;  excellent  sandstone  for 
building  purposes;  a  considerable  amount  of  Limestone  in 
the  northern  part  of  the  county,  which  will  make  good  agri 
cultural  and  building  lime  ;  Iron  Ore  is  worked  on  Mill  creek, 
by  Mr.  Melville  for  the  Bell ai re  Iron  Works.  Manufactories  : 
One  Tobacco  factory,  making  4,808  pounds ;  one  cigar  fac 
tory,  making  5,300  cigars;  Woolen  Mill,  at  Ripley ;  Wagon 
Factory;  Flour  Mill,  and  Barrel  Factories  at  Ravenswood; 
Flour  Mill,  and  Saw  Mill,  at  Sandyville  and  Cottageville, 
and  several  movable  steam  Saw  Mills.  Principal  streams : 
The  Ohio,  along  the  west  border  ;  Mill  and  Sandy  creeks  pen 
etrate  the  county,  and  are  navigable  10  to  20  miles  from  the 
Ohio,  by  rafts  and  canoes,  on  high  waters..  Means  of  trans 
portation:  Ohio  river  and  turnpikes;  contemplated  ones: 
W.  C.  &  St.  L.  Narrow  Gauge  railroad;  Pittsburgh,  Wheeling 
and  Kentucky  railroad ;  Ripley  and  Ohio  Narrow  Gauge 
railroad  ;  Washington  and  Ohio  railroad.  Public  Schools,  69  ; 
Churches,  21;  Postoffices,  20.  Population,  10,300.  Value  of 
taxable  property,  $2,342,559.19.  County  seat,  Ripley.  News 
papers,  Jackson  County  News,  weekly,  at  Ravenswood. 

JEFFERSON  COUNTY. 

This  county  has  a  rolling  and  hilly  surface,  except  in  the 
eastern  part,  where  it  is  bounded  by  the  Blue  Ridge  moun 
tains.  The  soil  is  mainly  calcareous  loams  and  clays.  The 
depth  on  the  hills  varies  from  2  to  8  inches,  and  in  the  valleys, 
from  one  to  many  feet.  Crops  adapted  to  the  soils,  are  Wheat, 
Corn,  Oat?,  Rye,  and  Grass  especially.  Crops  yield  on  the 
hills.  Wheat,  10  bushels;  Corn,  30  bushels  ;  Rye,  15  bushels  ; 
Potatoes,  100  bushels;  Oats,  30  bushels.  On  the  bottoms,  the 
yields  are  one-third  to  one-half  more.  These  are  all  for  the 
improved  calcareous  agricultural  lands.  The  value  of  the 
agricultural  land,  which  embraces  all  the  county  is  from  $30 


RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA.  388 

to  $60  per  acre,  according  to  location  and  amount  of  improve 
ment.  Not  much  is  done  in  timber.  The  principal  indus 
tries,  are  farm  ing,  manufacturing  and  stock  raising.  The 
principal  exports  are  grain  and  stock  of  various  kinds,  manu 
factured  articles,  and  some  Poplar  and  Walnut.  Markets  for 
timber,  Baltimore  and  home.  For  grain,  Baltimore  and  east 
ern  cities.  For  stock,  Baltimore  and  Philadelphia.  Minerals: 
Iron  ore  is  found  in  several  localities.  On  the  Potomac,  near 
Antietam  creek,  it  is  worked  for  the  Antietam  Iron  Works. 
Other  localities  where  it  is  in  workable  quantities  are  near 
Bolivar  Heights,  and  on  the  Shanandoah  river,  at  Mulby'sOre 
Bank,  which  is  now  worked.  A  fine  deposit  of  hydraulic 
limestone  is  worked  at  Shepherdstovvn,  and  furnishes  a  cement 
of  well  known  good  quality.  Limestone  for  building  stone, 
is  quarried  of  good  quality,  and  ,«ent  down  the  canal.  Lime 
stone  for  burning,  of  good  quality  is  abundant. 

Some  of  the  limestones  approach  marble  in  grain,  and  occa 
sionally  yield  a  stone  of  good  color  and  taking  a  good  polish. 
A  good  quarry  of  grey  marble  might  be  obtained  at  Shepherds- 
town.  Chalybeate  and  sulphur  springs  exist.  Some  potters 
clay  is  found.  Manufactories:  4  cigar  factories,  making  329,- 
350  cigars  ;  3  wool  factories,  20  flour  mills,  2  hardwood  factor 
ies,  4  or  5  portable  steam  saw  mills,  2  paper  mills,  1  planing 
mill  and  sash  factory,  agricultural  implement  factory  and 
foundry,  1  cement  mill,  and  1  pottery.  The  county  is  skirted 
by  the  Potomac  and  Shenandoah,  the  latter  being  navigable 
on  full  waters  by  flat  boats.  Xeans  of  transportation  are  by 
Baltimore  and  Ohio  Railroad,  Chesapeake  and  Ohio  Canal,  and 
Valley  Railroad.  Contemplated  improvements  :  The  Shenan 
doah  Valley  Railroad,  Potomac  and  Ohio  Railroad,  and  the 
improvement  of  the  Shenandoah  river.  Public  institutions  : 
State  Normal  School  at  Shepherdstown,  schools,  etc.;  Stover 
Co'lege,  for  colored  persons,  at  Harper's  Ferry,  and  32  public 
schools.  Churches,  27-  Postoffices,  11'  Value  of  taxable 
property,  $7,434,309.63.  Population,  13,219.  County  seat, 
Shepherdstown,  with  a  population  of  about  2,200.  News 
papers,  Charlestown  Spirit  of  Jeff  er son,  Shepherdstown  Register,  and 
Virginia  Free  Press,  all  weekly. 

KANAWHA  COUNTY. 

The  topography  of  this  county  is  hilly  and  mountainous.   The 


384  RESOURCES   OP   WEST   VIRGINIA. 

hills  in  the  west  are  comparatively  low;  in  the  middle  portion 
they  become  quite  high,  and  in  the  western  part,  they  become 
mountainous.  Much  of  the  surface  is  quite  rough  and  broken- 
The  valleys  are  usually  narrow.  The  soil  is  naturally  produc 
tive,  and  is  quite  deep.  On  the  hills,  it  varies  from  4  to  12 
inches,  and  on  the  levels  from  12  inches  to  many  feet.  The 
crops  suited  to  the  lands  are  Corn,  Wheat,  Oats,  Rye,  and  To 
bacco.  On  the  bottoms,  as  those  along  the  Kanawha,  the  yields 
are  high.  Corn  produces  40  to  60  bushels ;  Oats,  30  to  40  bush 
els;  Wheat,  10  to  15  bushels;  Tobacco,  1,000  to  1,400  pounds. 
On  the  hills.  Corn  produces  20  to  50  bushels;  Oats,  20  to  25 
bushels  ;  Wheat,  8  to  10  bushels  ;  Tobacco,  800  to  1,000  pounds. 
Value  of  improved  lands,  $5  to  $50;  of  mineral  lands,  coal,  $10 
to  $100,  according  to  location  and  deposits.  Timber  lands,  S5 
to  $20;  value  of  timber,  stumpage,  2  to  3  cents;  at  mill,  8  to 
10  cents,  per  cubic  foot.  Principal  industries,  farming,  lum 
bering,  coal  mining,  and  the  manufacture  of  salt.  Principal 
exports,  Coal,  Salt,  Timber,  Grain,  and  Tobacco.  Markets  for 
timber,  Ohio  river  and  eastern  cities ;  for  grain  and  farm  pro 
duce,  Charleston  and  home.  Stock  goes  east,  as  does  some  of 
the  timber.  The  coal  goes  down  the  Ohio,»and  to  the  eastern 
cities.  The  principal  minerals  are  Coal,  Iron,  and  Salt.  The 
iron  is  siderite,  and  blackband;  the  former  has  been  worked 
somewhat.  Large  exports  of  salt  are  made,  mainly  down 
the  Ohio,  and  to  Richmond.  Fire  clay  was  worked,  and  ship 
ped  to  Cincinnati.  Sandstone  for  building  can  be  obtained, 
of  good  quality.  There  are:  1  tobacco  manufactory,  manufac 
turing  648  pounds;  3  cigar  manufactories,  making  51,100 
cigars;  1  brewery,  making  722  barrels;  1  bromine  works. 
Mines  :  These  are  exclusively  of  coal,  which  is  common  bitu 
minous,  splint  and  cannel.  The  mines  now  in  operation  are 
Bibby's  mine,  Pioneer  Coal  Company,  Campbell's  Creek  Coal 
Company,  J.  B.  Lewis  &  Co.,  Coalmont  Coal  Company,  Hous 
ton  Mining  and  Manufacturing  Company,  Kanawha  and  Ohio 
Coal  Company,  Hampton  Mines,  Blacksburg  mines,  Blackberry 
mines,  Enterprise  Coal  and  Iron  Company,  Kanawha  Semi- 
Cannel  Coal  Conipany,  Gordon  &  Seal,  Cannelton  Coal  Com 
pany,  and  various  mines  to  supply  the  salt  companies.  Salt 
companies  are:  Brook's  Furnace,  Lorena  Furnace,  Snow  Hill 
Furnace,  Campbell's  Creek  Furnace,  Pioneer  Furnace,  a  furnace 


RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA. 

a  short  distance  above  Maiden  ;  now  building  at  Charleston, 
the  Kanawha  Coal  and  Iron  Furnace.  Lines  of  transportation 
now  used :  Kanawha  river,  navigable  by  steamboats  and 
barges;  Elk,  navigable  for  batteaux,  in  all  stages,  and  for  rafts 
in  full  water,  and  also  for  small  steamers,  10  mile*..  B:g  Coal 
is  locked  and  darned  to  Pevtona,  and  used  by  small  -tenners 
and  barges.  Rafts  are  sent  out  of  Pocatalieo  in  full  stages. 
Contemplated  improvements:  The  locking  and  darning  of 
Elk,  extension  of  the  James  river  and  Kanawha  canal,  Coal 
River  Railroad,  Northern  and  Southern  West  Virginia  Central 
Railroad,  Paint  Creek  Railroad,  West  Virginia  Railroad,  the 
West  VirginiaCentral  Railroad.  Public  schools,  125.  Churches, 
37.  Postoffices.  24.  Population,  22,349.  Value  of  taxable 
property,  $6,430,051.  County  seat,  Charleston,  with  a  popula 
tion  of  5,000.  It  has  one  woolen  mill,  two  barrel  factories,  10 
steam  saw  mills  in  and  near  Charleston,  1  brewery,  1  foundry, 
2  tanneries.  One  steam  saw  mill  is  at  St.  Albans,  and  another 
at  Coallmrg.  Newspapers:  Charleston  Courier,  tri-weekly ; 
Kanawha  Chronicle,  weekly  ;  West  Virginia  Journal,  weekly  ;  all 
at  Charleston. 

LEWIS   COUNTY. 

The  surface  of  Lewis  is  rolling  and  hilly.  The  soil  is  uni 
formly  fertile,  being  clay  and  clayey  loam,  sometimes  calcare 
ous.  It  produces  grass  well.  Depth  on  hills  3  to  12  inches, 
and  on  the  levels,  12  to.  18  inches.  Crops  suited  to  the  lands, 
are  Corn,  Wheat, •  Oat*,  and  the  grasses  ;  yiekls-on  the  levels, 
Corn,  40  to  60  bushels  ;  Wheat,  10  to  12  bushels  ;  Oats,  25  to  40 
'bushels ;  on  the  hills,  Corn,  25  to  30  bushels  ;  Wheat,  8  to  10 
bushels  ;  Oats,  20  to  25  bushels.  The  Lewis  County  Agricul 
tural  and  Mechanical  Association  hold  an  annual  Fair  near 
Weston.  The  usual  sum  distributed  in  premiums  per  annum 
is  $2,000.  The  price  of  Agricultural  land  is  from  85  to  825  ; 
Timber  land,  from  f^to  $6.  Timber  is  worth,  stumpage,  $1 
per  average  tree  ;  at  the  mills,  sawed,  810  per  1,000, 

The  principal  industries  are  farming  and  stock-raising. 
The  county  is  mainly  a  grazing  one.  The  principal  exports 
for  stock  are  Baltimore  and  eastern  cities.  Some  timber  is 
exported  to  Pittsburgh  and  Brownsville,  Pa.  Minerals  are 
coal,  ordinary  bituminous  in  large  seams,  and  ot  good  quality  ; 
Limestone  is  found  for  cement,  and  Agricultural  purposes;  Pot- 


386  RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA. 

ters'  Clay  is  found  and  worked  by  Parker  &  Co.;  Sandstones  for 
building,  of  excellent  quality,  and  very  handsome,  exist. 
The  Insane  Asylum,  at  Weston,  is  built  of  a  handsome  sand 
stone,  quarried  on  the  spot.  A  fine  Ochre,  of  a  rich  orange 
color  is  found,  and  used  in  painting  in  the  vicinity.  The 
West  Fork  of  the  Monongahela  is  the  principal  stream,  and 
is  used  in  high  stages  of  water  for  running  rafts  out.  But 
for  the  dams  it  could  be  navigated  by  canoe.-.  The  means  of 
transportation  at  present  are  pikes  and  dirt  roads  alone.  Con 
templated  improvements  are,  the  Weston  and  West  Fork  rail 
road,  and  the  Washington  and  Ohio  railroad,  the  Northern 
and  Southern  West  Virginia  railroad,  Shenandoah  and  Ohio 
railroad.  The  Insane  Asylum  is  at  Weston.  Manufactories 
are,  Cigar  factories,  making  78,000  cigars  ;  Weston  Woolen 
Mills,  Weston  Flouring  Mills,  Weston  Iron  Foundry,  for  cast 
ings  and  hollow  ware,  Furniture  factories,  <fec.  Public 
Schools,  72;  Churches,  36;  Postoffices,  14.  Population,  10,175. 
Taxable  property,  82,616,650.00.  County  seat,  Weston,  a 
growing  town  with  about  1,200  inhabitants.  Newspaper, 
Weston  Democrat,  weekly. 

LINCOLN    COUNTY. 

The  surface  of  Lincoln  is  hilly,  with  hills  generally  of  a  con 
siderable  elevation,  in  some  cases  rising  almost  into  moun 
tains.  The  slope  is  usually  sufficient  for  cultivation  Only 
about  one-fifth  of  the  land  is  cleared,  and  much  of  the  uncleared 
land  is  in  large  tracts,  up  to  100,000  acres.  There  is  some 
fine  bottom  land  along  the  Guyandotte  river,  but  the  hills  on 
the  Guyandotte  and  Coal  rivers  are  high  and  rough.  On  Mud 
river,  the  soils  are  clay,  elsewhere  they  are  Sandy  loams,  all 
generally  deep  and  very  fertile.  The  crops  best  suited  to  the 
lands,  are  Corn,  Oats,  Wheat,  Rye,  Buckwheat,  and  Tobacco. 
Lincoln  is  one  of  the  most  extensive  Tobacco  raising  connties 
in  the  State,  and  the  soils  are  especially  adapted  to  this  crop. 
The  glasses  also  do  finely.  Lincoln  produces  large  amounts  of 
ginseng.  The  soils  are  from  7  to  10  inches  deep  on  the  hills, 
and  12  to  14  inches  on  the  levels.  The  hilis  and  levels  pro 
duce  about  alike.  Corn  yields  30  to  40  bushels;  Wheat,  10; 
Rye,  12;  Oats,  20.  Land  in  large  tracts  is  worth,  when  con 
taining  fine  coal,  as  much  of  it  does,  35  to  $10,  which  is 
also  about  the  value  of  the  farming  land.  The  timber  is  in 


RESOURCES   OF   WEST   VIRGINIA.  387 

large  amounts,  and  of  the  finest  quality.  Coal  and  timber 
land  can  also  be  purchased  at  from  $1  to  $1.50  Timber  is 
worth  50  cents  per  tree,  stumpage,  and  at  tne  mills  6  to  10 
cents  per  cubic  foot.  Principal  industries,  farming,  lumber 
ing,  and  stock  raising.  The  stock  is  very  good.  Principal 
exports,  timber,  lumber,  tobacco,  forest  products,  and  stock. 
Markets:  The  timber  is  sold  at  the  stump,  and  ra' ted  down 
to  markets  on  the  Ohio  river,  as  is  the  lumber.  The  tobacco 
and  stock  are  sent  to  Cincinnati.  Minerals  :  Coal  in  great  quan 
tity  ;  splint,  common  bituminous,  and  cannel ;  fine  sand 
stones  for  building,  Manufactories:  Three  or  more  large 
grist  and  saw  mills,  on  Mud  river,  one  on  Guyandotte  river, 
and  several  steam  saw  mills,  two  tan-yards,  at  Hanilin.  The 
principal  streams  are  Guyandotte  and  Mud  rivers.  The 
former  is  navigable  several  months  of  the  year  for  "  push 
boats,"  and  timber  may  be  floated  down  it  on  full  water.  Mud 
and  Little  Coal  are  navigable  for  canoes  and  rafts  in  full 
stages.  Mean^  of  transportion  at  present,  are  the  above 
streams,  and  county  mud  roads,  to  the  Chesapeake  and  Ohio 
railroad.  Contemplated  improvements:  Coal  River  railroad, 
the  branch  running  up  Little  Coal ;  Guyandotte  railroad, 
Guyandotte  and  Ohio  River  railroad,  Mud  River  railroad,  Ohio 
River  and  Wayne  County  Mineral  railroad.  Public  Schools 
50;  Churches,  6:  Postoffices,  7.  Population,  5  053.  Value  of 
taxable  property,  $1,073,901.45.  County  seat,  Hamliri. 

LOGAN     COUNTY. 

This  county  is  quite  broken,  the  hills  which  occupy  most 
of  the  surface  are  very  high,  attaining  the  dignity  of  moun 
tains  in  places.  The  valleys  are  narrow,  with,  as  a  rule,  little 
botto  n  land.  On  the  Guyandotte  there  is  a  good  deal  of  gent 
ly  rolling  and  bottom  lands.  A  considerable  amount  of  gently 
sloping  land  is  also  found  on  Pigeon  and  Island  creeks,  while 
near  and  below  the  court-house  is  fine  farming  land.  The  soil 
is  loam,  more  or  less  sandy  or  clayey,  quite  productive,  and 
yielding  grass  and  grain  well.  The  crops  are  Corn,  Wheat, 
Oats,  Rye,  Buckwheat  and  Tobacco.  All  yield  well,  f-  of  the 
land  is  in  timber,  which  grows  to  enoimous  size.  Some  of  the 
largest  trees  in  the  State,  especially  of  Poplar  and  Oak,  are  re 
ported  here.  The  land  is  in  large  tracts  and  mostly  has  the 
timber  untouched.  The  soil  is  deeper  on  the  northwest  side  of 


RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA. 

the  hills,  and  is  usually  on  the  uplands  from  4  to  15  inches  ; 
on  the  bottoms  12  inches  to  several  feet.  The  yields  on  the 
hills,  where  cultivated,  which  is  only  in  patches,  are  the  same 
as  the  bottoms  :  Corn  produces  30  to  60  bushels  ;  Oats,  20  to  40 
bushels;  Wheat,  10;  Rye,  12.  Not  much  farming  on  a  large 
scale  is  done.  Grass  grows  luxuriantly,  and  the  winters  are 
mild.  Some  stock' is  raised.  The  land  in  large  tracts  may  be 
bought  at  from  $1  to  $10.  The  timber  and  wild  lands  mainly 
at  the  former  price.  Value  of  timber,  stumpage,  50  cents  to 
SI  per  tree,  and  $2  on  the  river.  For  logs  in  the  riv^r,  8  to 
10  cents  per  cubic  foot.  Principal  industries,  Farming  and 
Lumbering.  Principal  exports.  Timber  in  Logs,  and  forest 
products.  Logan,  as  well  as  Lincoln,  exports  a  large  amount 
of  Ginseng,  the  collecting  of  which  form  a"  considerable  busi 
ness  with  the  inhabitants,  as  they  go  long  distances  for  it. 
The  markets  for  all  products  are  down  the  Ohio.  Minerals  : 
Coal,  Splint,  Caunel,  and  ordinary  Bituminous,  in  fine  work 
able  seams ;  Sandstone  for  building  is  abundant;  Salt  wrater 
is  found  in  some  localities.  There  are  several  Saw  and  Grist 
Mills  on  Guyandotte  river.  The  people  manufacture  at  home 
a  good  deal  of  the  minor  articles  for  household  use.  The  pre 
sent  means  of  transportation  are  the  Big  Sandy  and  Guyan 
dotte  rivers.  The  former  stream  is  navigable  for  steamers, 
barges,  and  timber. rafts,  several  months  in  the  year,  as  is  the 
Guyandotte  for  canoes  and  timber  rafts.  Contemplated  im 
provements:  Improvement  of  the  navigation  of  the  Guyan 
dotte  river,  which  was  in  progress  before  the  war;  Tug  River 
R.  R.  ;  Mud  River  R.  R.  ;  Guyandotte  &  Ohio  R.  R.  ;  Guyan 
dotte  R.  R.  Public  Schools,  43;  Churches,  8  ;  Post-offices,  9; 
Value  of  taxable  property,  8604,851  14.  Population,  5,124. 
County  Seat,  Logan  Court-House. 

MARION   COUNTY. 

The  surface  of  the  county  is  rolling  and  hilly,  the  hills 
being  often  quite  high,  and  the  valleys  narrow.  The  soil  is 
usually  pretty  deep,  and  naturally  fertile.  It  is  a  loam, 
clayey,  sandy,  or  calcareous,  from  6  to  8  inches  deep  on  the 
hills,  and  10  to  12  inches  on  the  levels.  The  land  is  well 
adapted  to  the  production  of  Grass,  Corn.  Wheat,  Oats,  Rye, 
Potatoes,  and  Buckwheat.  There  is  little  difference  between 
the  yields  on  the  hills  and  levels.  The  average  without 


RKSOHRCKS  OK  WEST  VIRGINIA.  389 

manures  is  as   follows:     Corn,  30  to  40  bushels  ;  Wheat,   12 
hushels  ;  Oats,  30  bushels;  Potatoes,  75  to  100  bushels ;  Rye, 
15  bushels.  An  annual  Fair  is  held  at  Fairmont;  the  amounts 
given  out  in  premiums  are  not  reported.    ;  Principal    indus 
tries,    fanning,    stock-raising,   coal  mining,  and    lumbering. 
Principal    exports,   stock,    iarm    products,   lumber   and   coal. 
Large   amounts   of  sawed  and  cooperage  stuff  are  sent  from 
along  the  line  of  the  railroad,  and  large  exports  of  excellent 
gas  coal  are  made  from  the  vicinity  of  Fairmont.      Markets 
for  stock,  Baltimore  ;  for  timber,  Baltimore,  eastern  cities,  &c.; 
for  coal,  eastern  cities.     Minerals  :    A*  large  and  fine  seam  of 
Gas  Coal,  and  other  workable  seams  ;  good  Limestone  for  agri 
cultural  and  building  purposes  ;  good  Sandstones  for  building  ; 
good  Potter's  Clay,  manufactured  at  Palatine  ;  Clay  near  Pal- 
tine  suitable  for  Potter's  slip;  excellent  Tin  Clay,  mined  and 
manufactured    at    Nuzum's  Mills,   by   the  Glade    Tin    Brick 
Company.     The  following  coal  mines  are  in  operation  :     The 
Gaston  mines  of  the  Fairmont  Gas  Coal  Company,  the  West 
Fairmont  mines,  of  the  West  Fairmont  Gas  Coal  Company  ; 
the  Palatine  mines,  of  the  O'DonnelTs  :  the  Central  mines,  of 
O.   Jackson.      Manufactories:      These    have   not   been   fully 
reported,  and  we  cannot  give  thetn  in  any  detail.     There  are 
ten  cigar   factories  in  the  county,  making  242,100  cigars  in 
1875;  a   pottery    in    Palatine;    a  fine  Jbrick  manufactory   at 
Nuzum's  Mills  ;  at  Fairmont.  Palatine  and  other  point-',  there 
are  9  strain    Flouring  mills,  most  of  them  have  saw  attach 
ments  ;  9  Water  mills  ;  Furniture  shops  ;  a   Foundry  and  Ma 
chine  shops;    Agricultural   Machine  manufactory,  etc.;  Flour 
ing  mills,  &c.,  etc-;  at  Valley  Falls,  is  a  Sa.v^  mill   and  Shook 
factory;  at,  Farmington,  Flour  and   Grist  mills,   a  Tannery, 
&c.;  at  Mannington,  a  good  deal  of  lumber  and  shooks  are  ship 
ped  ;  there  are  here  Flouring,  Grist,  and  Saw  mills,  a  Planing 
mill,  a  Wagon  Factory,  a  Foundry,  &c,,  &c.    Principal  streams 
are,  the  West  Fork,  Tygart's  Valley,    and  Monongahela,  all 
navigable  for  timber  rafts  and  batteaux  in  full  stages.      Good 
sized  steamers  have  several  times  been  up  as  high  as  Fair. 
mont   in    very    high   stages  of  water.     The    present  lines   of 
transportation    are,    the    Baltimore   and   Ohio   railroad   and 
turnpike   roads;  in  contemplation,  are   the    improvement  of 
the    Monongahela   river,   the   Northern    and  Southern   West 


390  RESOURCES  OF  WEST  VIRGINIA. 

Virginia  railroad.  The  Fairmont  Normal  school  is  at  Fair 
mont.  Public  schools,  94  ,  Churches,  37 ;  Postoffices,  21. 
Population,  12,107.  Value  ot  taxable  property,  $4,169,099.06. 
County  seat,  Fairmont,  a  thriving  town  on  the  Monongahela 
river.  Newspapers,  fairmont  Index,  Fairmont  West  Virginian, 
Mannington  Ventilator,  and  Golden  Rale. 

MAKSHALL   COUNTY. 

The  topography  of  this  county  is  much  like  that  of  Ohio 
county.  The  amount  of  bottom  land  along  the  Ohio  river  and 
Grave  creek  is  considerable,  and  of  excellent  character.  The 
hills  are  high,  but  not  r6cky,  and  the  slopes  are  not  too  steep 
for  grazing  and  cultivation;  they  have  narrow  valleys  be 
tween'  The  soil  is  very  fertile,  being  calcareous  clay  loam,  or 
sandy  loam.  The  depth  on  the  hills  is  7  to  8  inches,  and  on 
the  levels  1  to  many  feet.  The  crops  adapted  to  the  lands  are 
Corn,  Oats,  Wheat,  Barley,  and  especially  Grass.  The  hills 
and  levels  produce  about  alike.  Corn  produces  40  to  70  bushels; 
Oats,  30  to  40  bushels;  Wheat,  6  to  15  bushels.  No  manures 
are  used  for  these  yields.  Agricultural  improved  land  is  worth 
$50  to  $300  per  acre;  Mineral  land  (Coal)  81,000  to  $1,500; 
Timber  land,  $35  to  $40.  Timber  is  worth  82  per  cord,  stump- 
age,  and  $4  per  cord  at  the  mill.  Principal  industries  :  Farm 
ing,  Stock  raising  and  Manufacturing.  Principal  exports: 
Stock,  such  as  Hogs,  Sheep,  and  Cattle,  also,  Grain.  Markets 
for  Stock,  the  East;  for  Grain  and  general  produce.  Wheeling, 
also,  for  Timber.  Minerals:  Coal,  in  good  seams  above  water 
level;  Limestone  for  agricultural  and  building  purposes,  etc., 
are  found  ;  a  Sandstone  for  building  is  obtained  ;  Coal  is  min 
ed  at  Moundsville  and  up  the  river  for  consumption  in  the 
vicinity.  Manufactories  :  Two  Rolling  Mills,  Cigar  Factories 
making  454,000  cigars,  1  Blast  Furnace,  Saw  Mill  at  Bellton 
and  Moundsville,  Flouring  Mills,  Saddlery,  Wagon  Manufac 
tories,  Brick  Yards,  &c.,  &c.  Wre  may  state  here,  that  the  re 
ports  made  to  us  of  the  manufactories  in  the  several  counties, 
are  very  imperfect,  and  our  lists  cannot  pretend  to  be  com 
plete.  The  principal  stream  is  the  Ohio  river.  Means  of 
transportation  are  the  Ohio  river  and  the  Bait.  &  Ohio  R.  R. 
Contemplated:  The  Pittsburgh,  Wheeling  &  Kentucky  R.  R. 
The  State  Penitentiary  is  at  Moundsville.  Public  Schools,  88; 
Churches,  13  ;  Posi-Offices,  21.  Population,  14,941.  Value  of 


RESOURCES  OF  WEST  VIRGINIA.  391 

taxable  property  is  84,363,713  35.  County  seat,  Moundsville, 
a  considerable  village.  Newspapers,  Moundsville  National, 
Moundsville  Reporter,  and  New  State  Gazette. 

MASON"  COUNTY. 

The  surface  of  this  county  is  gently  rolling  and  hilly,  with 
much  flat  land  along  the  Ohio  and  Great  Kanawha.  The  hills 
are  low  and  gently  sloping,  comparatively  epeaking,  and  the 
valleys  are  wide.  The  Ohio  skirts  the  county  for  50  miles, 
and  the  Kanawha  passes  through  its  center.  The  county  has 
75,000  acres  of  river  bottoms.  The  soil  on  the  flats  is  a  rich 
loam  very  deep.  Clay  loams,  clays,  and  calcareous  loams,  are 
found  on  the  hills.  More  than  half  of  the  land  is  in  cultiva 
tion,  and  the  rest  contains  a  great  deal  of  fine  heavy  timber. 
The  levels  have  a  soil  from  one  to  many  feet  deep,  while  on  the 
hills  it  is  from  8  to  12  inches.  The  crops  raised  are  Corn, 
Wheat,  Oats,  Rye,  and  the  Grasses,  which  do  finely.  The  yields 
on  the  bottoms  are  Wheat,  15  to  20  bushels;  Corn,  40  to  50; 
Oats,  30  to  40;  Rye,  30.  On  the  uplands,  Corn  yields  about  30 
to  35  bushels;  Wheat,  10;  Oats,  25  to  30,  etc.  No  manures  used 
for  these  yields.  Corn  has  been  produced  on  the  flats,  at  the 
rate  of  106  bushels  in  a  30  acre  field.  The  Mason  County 
Agricultural  and  Mechanical  Association  holds  an  annual  Fair 
at  Point  Pleasant.  Value  of  premiums  distributed,  $1,000. 
The  bottom  lands  sell  for  $80  to  $100  per  acre;  the  uplands 
for  from  $5  to  $20 ;  mineral  land  (coal),  $200  DO  $400;  timber, 
stumpage,  is  worth  $1  per  tree;  at  the  mill,  $10.  The  princi 
pal  industries  are  farming,  stock  raising,  lumbering,  salt  man 
ufacturing,  mining,  etc.  Mason  pays  a  good  deal  oi  attention 
to  stock  and  the  introduction  of  improved  breeds,  for  the  rais 
ing  of  which  its  fine  grass  lands  afford  many  advantages. 
The  principal  exports  are  Coal,  5,000,000  bushels ;  salt,  2,500,- 
000  bushel;  Wheat,  Cattle,  Bromine,  Nails,  Glass,  Wool,  Hogs, 
Lumber,  etc.  Markets:  The  agricultural  products  arid  stock, 
go  to  eastern  cities  ;  others  down  the  river.  Minerals:  Coal, 
in  a  searn  from  5  to  6  feet,  is  exposed  above  water  level  for  7 
miles  in  the  northern  edge  of  the  county.  Salt  water  is  fur 
nished  from  wells  1,000  to  1,200  feet  deep,  in  the  northern 
part  of  the  county.  Clay,  for  tile  making,  is  found  and 
worked.  Sandstone  of  good  quality  abounds  in  the  county. 
Mines :  Coal  is  mined  at  nine  different  openings  from  Camden 


392  RESOURCES  OF  WEST  VIRGINIA. 

to  New  Haven  City.  They  send  5,000,000  bushels  down  the 
Ohio,  and  use  half  that  amount  in  making  salt. — [I.  W.  C. 
Davis.]  This  is  soft  bituminous  coal.  Manufactories:  Mason 
county  has  one  brewery,  making  126  barrels  of  beer  per  annum. 
Salt  is  manufactured  by  11  companies,  with  13  furnaces. 
These,  with  the  coal  -mines,  and  other  manufactories,  make  a 
continuous  village  along  the  Ohio  for  six  miles.  There  are 
bromine  works  at  Clifton,  Mason  City,  and  Valley  City,  and 
two  at  Hartford  City.  One  nail  factory  and  rolling  mill,  of 
large  size,  at  Clifton,  2  glass  factories  at  Mason  City,  2  stove 
factories  at  Hartford  City;  also  2  steam  saw  mills  at  Mason 
City,  1  steam  saw  mill  and  1  keg  factory  at  Clifton,  1  tile  fac 
tory  opposite  Point  Pleasant,  I  flour,  1  lumber  and  planing 
mill  at  Point  Pleasant,  1  Hour  mill  at  New  Haven  City,  3  saw 
mills  along  the  Ohio  above  Point  Pleasant,  and  1  floating 
dock  at  that  place.  Principal  streams:  The  Ohio  and  Kana- 
wha,  both  navigable  for  large  steamers.  Present  means  of 
transportation:  The  Ohio  and  Kanawha  rivers.  Improve 
ments  contemplated :  The  improvement  of  the  navigation  of 
the  Kanawha,  the  Washington  and  Ohio  Railroad,  the  W.,  C. 
&  St.  L.  Narrow  Gauge  Railroad,  the  Pittsburgh,  Wheeling 
and  Kentucky  Railroad,  Hartford,  Mason  and  Clifton  Rail 
road.  Public  schools,  96.  Churches,  29.  Postoflices,  22.  Pop- 
ulatim,  15,978.  Value  of  taxable  property,  $6,207,710.49. 
County  seat,  Point  Pleasant.  Newspapers:  The  Weekly  Regis 
ter,  The  Mason  County  Journal,  both  weekly. 

M'DO  WELL  COUNTY. 

McDowell  is  a  hilly  and  mountainous  county,  much  of  it 
broken  and  rough.  Most  of  the  land  is  in  the  original  foreat, 
aud  very  little  cultivation  is  carried  on,  except  in  patches. 
The  land  is  generally  held  in  large  tracts.  The  county  is  very 
inaccessible,  as  may  be  gathered  from  the  fact  that  not  a  sin 
gle  answer  has  been  obtained  to  fifty  circulars  sent  into  it,  ask 
ing  for  information.  In  consequence  of  this,  we  cannot  give 
any  detailed  account  of  it.  The  topography,  soil,  industries, 
etc.,  are  like  those  of  Wyoming,  except  that  the  land  is  rougher, 
and  less  cultivated.  The  soil  is  naturally  fertile,  the  winters 
mild,  and  the  timber  very  fine.  There  are  no  public  improve 
ments,  and  no  means  of  transportation,  except  down  the  Big 
Sandy  and  rough  roads.  The  improved  land  is  worth  $5  to 


RESOURCES  OF  WEST  VIRGINIA.  393 

810  per  acre,  and  the  unimproved  wild  lands,  in  large  tracts, 
50  cents  to  61.  The  crops,  industries,  and  exports  are  the 
same  as  those  of  Wyoming  and  Logan.  Good  coal,  in  work 
able  seams,  exists.  Public  schools,  14.  Churches,  8.  Post- 
offices,  4.  Value  of  taxable  property,  $303,878.43.  Popula 
tion,  1,952.  County  seat,  Perrysville. 

MEKCEB  COUNTY. 

This  county  is  flanked  on  the  east  by  the  East  River 
mountains,  and  on  the  west  by  the  Flat-Top  mountains.  It 
consists  chiefly  of  hilly  or  rolling  plateau  land,  with  some 
mountains.  The  soil  is  fertile,  being  a  clay,  sandy  loam,  and 
calcareous  loam.  The  soil  on  the  hills  is  6  to  8  inches  deep, 
but  thinner  near  the  mountains ;  on  the  levels,  10  to  12 
inches  and  more.  The  crops  raised  are,  Corn,  Oats,  Wheat, 
Tobacco,  and  Grass,  for  which  latter  much  of  the  soil  is  espe 
cially  adapted,  making  this  essentially  a  grazing  country 
The  yields  on  the  levels  are,  Corn,  30  to  40  bushels  ;  Wheat,  15 
to  20  bushels  ;  Oats,  40  to  50  bushels  ;  Tobacco,  1,200  pounds;  on 
the  hills,  Corn,  15  to  25  bushels;  Wheat,  7  to  9  bushels  ;  Oats, 
20  to  30  bushels ;  Tobacco,  900  pounds.  These  are  without 
manures.  The  agricultural  land  is  worth  from  $8  to  $50  per 
acre;  timber  land,  from  $2  to  $5,  and  mineral  land  (coal  and 
iron),  the  same.  Timber  is  worth,  stumpage,  25  cents  per 
tree,  and  at  the  mills,  $10  to  $12.50  per  1,000  feet.  The  prin 
cipal  industries  are,  stock-raising  and  farming.  Principal 
exports,  stock,  wheat,  and  tobacco.  Markets  for  tobacco  and 
grain,  Richmond,  Virginia;  for  stock,  Baltimore  and  Phila 
delphia.  Minerals,  good  Coal  (ordinary  bituminous),  in  work 
able  seams  above  water  level ;  abundance  of  Limestone,  suit 
able  for  building  and  agricultural  purposes ;  good  Potters' 
Clay  is  obtained  and  worked ;  large  deposits  of  good  brown 
haematite  are  found.  The  manufactories  are  not  definitely 
reported  ;  one  Pottery  exists  on  "East  river,  making  crockery 
and  pipes,  and  one  or  more  woolen  factories  are  in  the  county. 
The  principal  streams  are  Blue  Stone  and  New  rivers.  The 
former  is  navigable  for  canoes,  and  the  latter  for  batteaux  and 
canoes.  Present  means  of  transportation,  are  by  these  rivers 
and  the  county  roads.  Contemplated  improvements,  improve 
ment  of  the  navigation  of  New  river,  the  New-  River  railroad, 
Blue  Stone  Mining  railroad.  The  Mercer  county  Normal 
50 


394  RESOURCES   OF    WEST   VIRGINIA. 

school  is  at  Concord.  Public  schools,  38;  Churches,  11; 
Postoffices,  12.  Population,  7,064.  Value  of  taxable  property, 
$660,895.06.  County  seat,  Princeton. 

MINERAL  COUNTY, 

Mineral  county  is  mountainous,  with  long  valleys  along  the 
streams.     What  was  said  of  the  soil,  products,  &c.,  etc.,  of 
Grant  and  Hampshire  counties  applies  to  Mineral,  with  the 
important  exception  that  .this  county  has  a  large  amount  of 
fine  Coal  and  not  so  much  Iron.     The  soil  along  the  broad 
bottoms  is  extremely  fertile,  and  brings  fine  Grass  and  Grain 
crops.     The  soil  on  the  hills  and  mountains  is  sandy  and  san 
dy  loam.     Depth  on  highlands,  0  to  10  inches ;   on  the  bot 
toms  many  feet.     Crops  :  Corn,  Wheat,  Oats,  Rye,  Grass.     In 
the  bottoms,  Corn  yields  30  to  50  bushels ;    Wheat,  10  to  15 
bushels ;  Rye,  10  to  15  bushels ;  Oats,  25  to  35  bushels.    On  the 
hills,  Corn,  20  bushels;   Wheat,   8  bushels;   Oats,   10  to  15 
bushels;  Rye,  10  bushels;  Buckwheat,  20  bushels.     Value  of 
land,  (agricultural,  bottom),  S20,  to  $100;  uplands,  $5  to  $20; 
Timber  land  SI  to  $5 ;  Mineral  lands,  $50  to  $150,  per  acre. 
Timber  is  worth,  stumpage,  $1,25  to  $3  per  1,000;  at  the  mills, 
sawed  $15  per  1,000.     The  principal  industries  are  Farming, 
Grazing,  and  Coal  mining.     Principal  exports  :  Cattle,  Tim 
ber,  Coal;  Timber  is  sold  to  Bait.  &  Ohio  R.  R.  and  eastern 
cities  ;   Cattle  goes  to  Baltimore  and  eastern  cities ;   Coal  goes 
east  for  steam  making.     Minerals  :  Soft  Bituminous,  in  large 
workable  beds.     Knobby  mountain  contains  an  abundance  of 
Limestone,  good  for  agricutural  and  building  purposes ;  good 
Sandstone  for  building  purposes  exists.     The  Virginia  Coal 
Company,  and  the  Baltimore  and  Hampshire  Coal  Company, 
are  mining  and  shipping  it  from  this  county.     The  Manufac 
tories  have  not  been  reported  from  this  county.     The  Bait. 
&  Ohio  R.  R.  Machine  Shops  are  located  at  New  Creek  or  Key- 
ser  City,  as  it  is  now  called.     The  principal  streams  are  the 
North  Branch  of  the  Potomac  and  Patterson's  creek,  both  navi 
gable  for  small  boats  and  timber  rafts  in  high  water.   The  pre 
sent  means  of  transportation  are  the  Ches.  &  Obio  Canal,  and 
the  Bait.  &  Ohio  R.  R.  and  county  roads.     Contemplated :  The 
improvement  of  the  North  Branch  of  the  Potomac;  The  Cum 
berland,  Moorefield  <fc  Broadway  R.  R. ;  North  Branch  R.  R. 
Public  Schools,  28  ;  Churches,  21 ;  Post-Offices,  9.    Population, 


RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA.  395 

6,332  ;  Value  of  taxable  property,  $2,463,434  96.  County  Seat, 
Keyser.  Newspapers:  West  Virginia  Tribune,  and  The  Piedmont 
Independent,  both  weekly. 

MONONGALIA   COUNTY. 

The  surface  is  very  hilly,  with  many  of  the  hills  quite  high, 
but  none  too   steep   for  grazing   and   agricultural   purposes. 
Many  of  the  hills  have  broad  tops,  on  which  a  good  deal  un 
dulating  land  is  afforded.     Laurel  hill  on  the  east  rises  into 
a  low  range  of  mountains.     The  soil  is  a  loam,  varying  from 
sandy  to  clayey,  with  some  calcareous  lands.    All  is  naturally 
productive  and  well  suited  for  grass.     The  depth  on  the  hills 
is  from  6  to  15  inches,  deepest  on  the  northwest  sides;  on  the 
levels,  from   1   to  several  feet.      The.  crops  are   Corn,   Oats, 
Wheat,  and  Grass.     There  is  not  much  difference  in  the  pro 
duct  of  the  hills  and  levels.     Average  yields  are,  Corn,  30  to 
40  bushels  ;  Oats,  25  to  35  bushels  ;  Wheat,  when  succeeding, 
10  to  I2[bushels;  Potatoes,  75  to  150  bushels.     The  Mononga- 
hela  Agricultural  and  Mechanical  Association  holds  an  an 
nual  Fair  at  Morgantown,  where  about  81,400  in  premiums 
are  distributed.      Value  of  land   (Agricultural),  from  $10  to 
$75  ;  no  Mineral  or  Timber  land  is  sold  as  such.     Timber  is 
worth,  stumpage,  3  to  4  cents  per  cubic  foot,  and  sawed  lum 
ber  at  the  mills,  $1,50  per  hundred.     The  principal  industries 
are  Farming  and  Stock  raising.      Principal  exports,   Farm 
Produce,  Stock,  and  some  White  Oak  Timber.     The  market 
for  Timber  is  Pittsburgh  and  down  the  river  :  for  Stock,  Bal 
timore;  for  Farm  Products,  Pittsburgh.     Minerals  :  Good  Coal 
in  numerous  workable  beds  above  water  level,  all  common 
bituminous  ;  Limestone  in  large  amounts,  in  the  east,  of  fine 
quality  for  agricultural  and  building  purposes ;  large  amounts 
along  the  river;  Iron  Ore  in  workable  quantities;  excellent 
Sandstone  for  building ;  good  Glass  Sand ;  good  Fire  Clay,  from 
which   bricks  have  been  made     ^Manufacturers :   One  Cigar 
Factory,  making  71,600  cigars  :  Carriage  Factory  and  Planing 
Mill  at  •  Morgantown ;   Cabinet  and  Furniture  Factory,   and 
several  large   Steam   Saw   and  Grist   Mills.     The   principal 
streams  are  the  Monongahela  and  Cheat  rivers ;  the  latter 
navigable  for  small  boats,  and  the  former  for  steamers  on  full 
water.     Present  means  of  transportation  :  The  Monongahela 
river  and  dirt  pikes.     Contemplated   and  in   progress:   The 


396  RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA. 

improvement  of  the  Monongahela  by  locks  and  dams,  also, 
the  Northern  and  Southern  West  Va.  R.  R.  Public  institu 
tions  :  West  Virginia  University  at  Morgantown,  Schools 
etc. ;  The  Morgantown  Female  Seminary,  and  79  Public 
Schools;  Churches,  39;  Post-Offices,  27.  Population,  13,547. 
Value  of  taxable  property,  $4,597,207.  County  seat,  Morgan- 
town.  Newspapers,  Morgantoivn  Post  and  The  New  Dominion, 
both  weekly,  at  Morgantown. 

MONROE  COUNTY. 

What  was  said  of  the  topography,  soil,  products,  ect.,  etc.,  of 
Greenbrier,  applies,  in  great  part,  to  Monroe.  The  surface  is 
hilly  and  undulating,  rising  suddenly  at  some  points  into 
pretty  high  mountains.  The  soil  is  loam,  clay,  and  calcareous 
clayey  loam,  producing  fine  farming  and  grazing  lands.  Depth 
on  hills,  4  to  10  inches ;  on  levels,  12  to  18  inches.  Crops  are 
Corn,  Oats,  Wheat,  Grass,  and  Tobacco.  Corn  yields  on  the 
level  lands,  30  to  40  bushels;  Wheat,  15  ;  Oats,  25  to  30.  On 
the  hills :  Corn,  10  to  15  ;  Wheat,  8  to  10;  Oats,  15.  Value  of 
the  land,  which  is  mainly  agricultural,  810  to  $50;  timber 
land,  $5  to  $20.  Value  of  the  timber,  stumpage,  50  cents  per 
tree;  at  the  mill,  $8  to  $15.  Principal  industries:  Farming 
and  grazing.  Principal  exports  :  Stock  of  all  kinds,  and  farm 
produce,  tobacco,  etc.  Markets  for  grain  and  tobacco,  Rich 
mond;  for  stock,  Baltimore.  Minerals:  Iron  in  workable 
quantities  (brown  haematite).  Limestone  in  abundance,  for 
building  and  agricultural  purposes.  Several  celebrated  min 
eral  springs  exist  in  this  county,  viz  :  "  The  Red  Sweet,"  u  Salt 
Sulphur,"  etc.  The  manufactories  are  not  reported.  One  cigar 
factory  is  worked,  making  3,000  cigars.  Principal  streams, 
New  and  Greenbrier  rivers.  Present  means  of  transportation, 
Chesapeake  and  Ohio  Railroad,  and  turnpike  roads.  Contem 
plated:  The  New  River  Railroad,  the  improvement  of  New 
river,  and  the  extension  of  the  James  River  and  Kanawha 
Canal.  Schools:  1  high  school,  1  female  seminary,  and  69 
public  sehools.  Churches,  32.  Postoifices,  15.  Population, 
11,123.  Value  of  taxable  property,  $2,891^953.20.  County 
seat,  Union.  Newspapers  :  Border  Watchman  and  Monroe  Reg 
ister -,  both  weekly. 

MORGAN  COUNTY. 

Morgan  county  is  a  mountainous  one,  with  numerous  rocky 


RESOURCES   OF    WEST   VIRGINIA.  397 

ridges,  many  of  which  are  too  steep,  and  the  soil  too  thin,  for 
ordinary  cultivation.      There  is  some  fine  bottom  land  along 
the  Potomac,  and  good  farming  land  along  the  Great  Cacapon 
and  Sleepy  creek.     The  soil   is  loam  and  sandy,  from  0  to  4 
inches  on  the  highlands,  and  4  to  8  inches  on  the  levels.     The 
crops  are   Wheat,  Corn,  Oats,  Tobacco,  and  Buckwheat.     The 
yields  on  the  cultivated  lands,  which  are  mainly  the  levels, 
are:  Corn,  15   to  25  bushels ;  Oats,   10  to  20  bushels;  Buch- 
wheat,  15  to  30  bushels  ;  Wheat,  8  to  15.     The  value  of  agri 
cultural  land  is  from  $4  to  820;  of  timber  land,  on  an  average, 
$3  to  $4.      Price  of  timber,  stumpage,  $1   per   tree  ;  of  lumber 
sawed  at  the  mills,  $10  per  1,000  feet.     The  principal  industries 
are  farming  and  lumbering.     The  principal  exports  are  forest 
products,  such  as  crossties,  shingles,  staves,  hoop- poles,  straps, 
tanbark  and  sawed  lumber,  mainly   Yellow  Pine.      The  mar 
kets  are  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  Railroad,  and  eastern  cities. 
Minerals :     Iron  ore  of  fair  quality  on  Sandy  Ridge.     Large 
deposits  of  white  sand  on  Sandy  Ridge,  now  used  by  a  Phila 
delphia  company.     Some   potters  clay,  which   was  formerly 
worked,  at  Hancock  Station.      The  Berkely  Mineral  Springs 
have  long  been  celebrated,  and  much   resorted  to.     Manufac 
tures,  etc:   2  large  tanneries,  1  small  woolen  factory,  1  broom 
factory,  4  steam  saw  mills,  and  14  grist  and  saw  mills  moved 
by  water.      The  principal  streams  are  the  Potomac,  Sleepy 
creek,  and  Great  Cacapon,  all  navigable  for  rafts  and  canoes,  4  ' 
months  in  the  year.     Present  means  of  transportation:  Balti 
more  and  Ohio  Railroad,  and  Chesapeake  and  Ohio  Canal. 
Contemplated :  Improvement  of  the  navigation  of  the  Great 
Cacapon,  the  Potomac  and  Ohio  Railroad,  the  West  Virginia 
Railroad.      Public  schools,  25.     Churches,  14.      Postofnces,  11. 
Populat:on,  4,315.     Value  of  taxable  property,  $1,082,354.80. 
County  seat,  Berkeley  Springs.      Newspaper,  Morgan  Mercury. 

NICHOLAS  COUNTY. 

The  surface  is  hilly,  mountainous,  and  plateau,  or  glade.  The 
soil  is  generally  good.  Much  of  it  is  held  in  large  tracts,  and 
is  unimproved,  or  in  the  original  forest.  The  soil  is  loam,  sandy, 
and  sandy  loam ;  depth  on  hills,  4  to  8  inches  ;  on  the  bottoms, 
8  to  20  inches.  Crops  raised  are  Corn,  Oats,  Wheat,  Rye, 
-  Irish  and  Sweet  Potatoes.  Corn  brings  on  the  levels  30  to  40 
bushels;  Wheat,  10  to  12  bushels  ;  Rye,  15  to  20  bushels;  Po- 


398  RESOURCES   OF   WEST    VIRGINIA. 

tatoes,  100  to  150.  On  the  hills  :  Corn,  15  to  25  bushels  ;  Wheat, 
8  to  10  bushels;  Rye-,  10  to  15  bushels;  Potatoes,  50  to  75  bush 
els.  The  unimproved  land  is  worth  from  SI  to  $3  per  acre, 
and  the  improved,  $5  to  $15.  Timber  is  worth,  stumpage, 
about  $1  per  tree;  at  the  mill,  $7.50  to  $12.  Principal  exports, 
farming,  grazing,  and  lumbering.  For  want  of  means  of  trans 
portation,  but  little  is  sent  out  of  the  county,  and  this  is  mainly 
timber  and  stock.  Market  for  stock,  Baltimore ;  for  timber, 
mouth  of  Gauley,  where  it  is  sawed  up.  Minerals  :  Coal ; 
bituminous  (ordinary),  splint  and  cannel,  in  workable  seams 
above  water  level.  Good  sandstone  for  building ;  also,  mill 
stone  and  grindstone  grits.  Brine  has  been  found  in  the 
county.  Principal  stream,  Gauley,  navigable  for  rafts  and 
single  logs,  on  full  tides.  Present  means  of  transportation, 
county  roads.  Contemplated  improvements  :  Improvement 
of  the  navigation  of  the  Gauley,  Gauley  River  railroad.  Pub 
lic  schools,  49.  Churches,  11.  PostofFices,  8.  Population,  4,- 
458.  Value  of  taxable  property,  $990,847.  County  seat,  Sum- 
mersville. 

OHIO  COUNTY. 

This  county  is  very  hilly,  many  of  the  hills  being  quite 
high,  but  they  are  fertile,  and  may  be  cultivated  to  their  sum 
mits.  It  has  a  large  amount  of  splendid  bottom  land  on  the 
Ohio  and  the  creeks.  The  soil  is  excellent  everywhere,  and 
is  mainly  well  cultivated.  The  soils  of  the  bottoms  are  san 
dy  loams,  of  the  uplands,  clay  and  sandy  loams,  usually  like 
the  other  counties  of  the  Panhandle,  with  a  large  amount  of 
calcareous  matter.  On  the  levels  the  soil  is  from  12  inches  to 
many  feet  deep  •  on  the  hills  from  5  to  7  inches,  being  deeper 
and  better  on  the  north  fides.  All  the  cereals  and  root  crops, 
grow  well,  and  grass  nourishes.  The  yields  on  the  hills  and 
bottoms  are  nearly  alike  ;  Grass  produces  2  to  3  tons  of  Hay  ; 
Corn,  60  to  75  bushels  ;  .Oats,  40  to  50 ;  Wheat,  15  to  20  ;  Rye, 
20  to  30  ;  Potatoes,  100  to  200  bushels.  No  manures  are  used. 
Grapes  do  well,  and  in  good  seasons,  produce  as  much  as  1,000 
gallons  of  wine  per  acre.  Value  of  agricultural  land,  from 
$50  to  $100  per  acre.  Good  land  can  be  rented  for  from  $5  to 
sK)  per  acre  per  annum.  The  principal  industries  are  farm 
ing  grazing,  mining  coal,  and  manufacturing.  Principal 
ox  ports,  farm  products,  stock,  wool,  and  manufactured  arti- 


RESOURCES   OF   WEST   VIRGINIA.  399 

cles.  Markets  for  produce,  stock,  wool,  &c.,  Wheeling,  Pitts 
burgh,  and  eastern  cities.  The  minerals  are  coal,  in  large 
quantities,  limestone  for  agricultural  purposes  and  hydraulic 
cement.  The  principal  river  is  the  Ohio,  which  is  naviga 
ble  for  steamers  during  the  greater  part  of  the  year.  The 
means  of  transportation  are  the  Ohio  river,  the  Baltimore  and 
Ohio  railroad,  Pittsburgh,  Baltimore  and  Wheeling  railroad  ; 
contemplated  railroads  are  the  Pittsburgh,  Wheeling  and 
Kentucky  railroad,  partly  completed  from  Steubenville  to 
Wheeling.  Public  institutions,  State  Capitol,  Custom  House, 
Branch  of  the  State  Normal  School.  Schools,  &c.,  are,  Cath 
olic  Female  Seminary,  Commercial  College,  and  33  Public 
Schools;  Postoffices,  8;  Churches,  36.  Population,  40,831. 
Value  of  taxable  property,  815,104,740.00.  Newspapers, 
Standard,  daily  and  weekly ;  Intelligencer,  daily  and  weekly  ; 
Register,  daily,  tri-weekly  and  weekly;  Sunday  Leader,  weekly; 
Arbiter  Freund,  German,  weekly ;  The  Medical  Student, 
monthly,  all  published  at  the  county  seat,  Wheeling,  which 
is  the  principal  city  of  the  county  and  State,  being  the  State 
Capital. 

THE  CITY  OF  WHEELING. 

This  is  both  the  principal  town  and  Capital  of  the  State. 
Its  population,  according  to  the  latest  data,  is  a  little  over 
30,000.  Its  principal  industry  is  manufacturing,  and  in 
this  it  is  surpassed  by  few,  if  any,  cities  of  its  size  in  the 
Union.  For  the  purpose  of  manufacturing,  and  bringing  the 
completed  articles  to  market  with  smallcost,  it  has  unexcep 
tionable  advantages. 

A  large  seam  of  good  coal  crops  out  in  the  hills  around,  and 
almost  overhangs  the  furnaces  consuming  it.  The  Ohio  river 
and  Wheeling  creek,  furnish  an  abundance  of  water,  while 
the  Ohio  river  and  railroad  connections  give  easy  and  cheap 
access  to  all  parts  of  the  country. 

Within  the  limits  of  this  article  we  can  only  notice  the 
leading  manufactures.  These  are,  the  production  of  cigars, 
malt  liquors,  glass,  and  various  manufactured  forms  of  iron. 
For  information  concerning  the  manufacture  of  tobacco  and 
liquors,  we  are  indebted  to  Thos.  J.  Blair,  Deputy  Collector 
Internal  Revenue,  who  has  kindly  furnished  the  statistics 
which  follow. 


400  RESOURCES   OF   WEST    VIRGINIA. 

Manufacture  of  Cigars. — Mr.  Blair  says  :  "  The  manufacture 
of  cigars  in  the  city  of  Wheeling,  has  been  quite  extensive 
for  many  years,  to  my  knowledge,  say  25  years,  and  what  are 
known  as  'Wheeling  Stogies'  have  had  a  national  reputation 
for  at  least  that  period.  They  are  made  of  what  is  known  as 
*  Kentucky  Leaf  '•  obacco '  and  weigh,  on  an  average,  about 
12  pounds  to  the  1,000,  and  were  sold  in  the  year  1875,  at  from 
$10  to  $12  per  1,000,  the  United  States  revenue  tax  being,  for 
two  months  of  said  year,  $5  per  1,000,  and  for  the  remaining 
part  of  the  year,  $6  per  1,000. 

"Other  cigars  of  finer  grades,  ranging  in  value  from  $15  to 
$30,  per  1,000,  have  also  been  produced  to  some  extent,  but 
are  not  to  be  compared  in  numbers  to  the  'Stogie  '  above 
referred  to. 

"  I  believe  from  examination,  that  during  the  year,  1872, 
there  were  more  cigars  manufactured  in  the  city  of  Wheeling 
than  in  any  previous  year,  and  also,  perhaps,  outside  of  the 
city,  and  within  the  First  District  of  West  Virginia,  viz.: 

"Manufactured  in  the  city  of  Wheeling,  in  1872 31^)00,000 

"  Manufactured  outside  of  the  city  of  Wheeling,  in  1872 5,000,000 


"  Making  a  total  production  of 36,000,000 

"The  number  of  cigars  manufactured  in  the  city  of  Wheel 
ing  during  1875,  was  22,783,000,  and  the  total  sales  in  the 
city  were  22,765,000,  while  the  number  of  cigar  factories  in 
that  year  was  52.  The  number  of  hands  employed  in  the 
city  in  1875,  in  the  manufacture  of  cigars,  was,  on  an  aver 
age,  260. 

"  The  manufacture  of  Tobacco  for  the  year  1875  shows  a 
falling  off,  as  compared  with  previous  years.  The  production 
of  smoking  tobacco  during  the  year  1875,  was,  from  three 
factories,  about  38,000  pounds,  taxed  by  the  government  at 
the  rate  of  24  cents  per  pound. 

Malt  Liquors. — The  production  of  Ale,  Beer,  and  Porter,  in 
the  city  of  Wheeling,  has  been  for  many  years  quite  large, 
and  is  increasing  every  year,  that  of  Beer  especially.  The 
following  is  the  number  of  barrels  manufactured  in  4876  : 

"  Ale  and  Toiler,  2  breweries,  barrels 3,700 

"Beer,  8  breweries,  barrels 21,606 


Total 25,366 


RESOURCES    OF   WEST   VIRGINIA.  401 

"  Taxed  by  the  government  at  the  rate  of  $1   per  barrel." 
The  following   facts   concerning  the  manufacture  of  glass, 

were  kindly  furnished  by   Mr.  Joseph   Bell,  President  of  the 

Excelsior  Glass  Company  : 

Manufacture  oj  Glass  in  Wheeling. — The  first  manufacture  of 
window  glass  in  this  State  was  undertaken  in  Wheeling  about 
1820.  The  commencement  of  this  branch  of  business,  and  the 
subsequent  change  to  the  manufacture  of  flint  glass  are  describ 
ed  in  the  following  extracts  from  a  letter  written  by  Col.  Red- 
ick  McKee.  He  says  : 

"  Up  to  1817  or  1818,  Wellsburg,  then  called  Charlestown, 
was  the  principal  town  in  the  Pan-Handle,  but  the  approach 
ing  completion  of  the  "  National  Road"  caused  business  men 
from  other  places  to  move  into  Wheeling,  and  changed  the  rel 
ative  position  of  the  two  places.  However,  the  immigrants 
brought,  as  a  general  thing,  but  little  active  capital,  and  the 
former  inhabitants,  though  many  of  them  were  wealthy,  had 
their  money  mainly  locked  up  in  lands,  town  lots,  &c.  Hence, 
new  enterprises,  such  as  the  building  of  factories,  steam  mills, 
&c.,  were  left  to  new-comers. 

"  About  1820  or  1821,  Mr.  George  Carothers  of  Brownsville, 
Pa.,  came  to  Wheeling  and  proposed  the  building  of  a  Win 
dow  Glass  Factory.  Aided  by  Wheeling  capital,  he  erected 
the  necessary  buildings  for  an  eight-pot  furnace,  annealing 
ovens,  &c.  Owing  to  accidents  the  first  attempt  at  glass  mak 
ing  in  this  furnace  failed,  and  the  works  were  finally  bought 
by  Knox  <fe  McKee,  who  employed  Carothers  as  superinten 
dent,  and  in  the  latter  part  of  1821,  or  early  in  1822,  com 
menced  successfully  the  manufacture  of  cylinder  glass,  packing 
mainly  in  half  boxes  (50  feet),  with  the  brand,  "  Virginia 
Works,  Knox  &  McKee,  Wheeling." 

"We,"  says  Col.  McKee,  "continued  the  business  satisfactorily 
for  several  years,  turning  out,  I  think,  annually,  some  3,000 
or  4,000  boxes  of  all  sizes,  from  6x8  to  14x20,  together 
with  large  quantities  of  green  hollow-ware ;  gallon,  half  gal 
lon,  and  quart  bottles ;  oil  and  porter  bottles ;  and  pint  bottles 
innumerable.  Our  6x8  and  7x9  glass  was  sent  to  Boston  ;  for 
other  sizes  the  west  and  south  furnished  a  market.  Our  No. 
1  glass  was  in  high  repute,  and  bore  transportation  to  distant 
points,  even  going  to  the  trading  posts  in  New  Mexico. 
51 


402  RESOURCES  OF  WEST  VIRGINIA. 

lt  As  factories  multipled,  and  blowers  became  more  numer 
ous  and  skillful,  prices  declined,  and  finally  ceased  to  pay. 
We  followed  them  down  from  $12  to  $3,50,  and  then  changed 
the  concern  into  a  White  Flint  Hollow-Ware  Factory,  under 
the  firm  of  Wheat,  Price  &  Co." 

The  glass  works  spoken  of  above  by  Col.  McKee,  occupied 
the  square  on  which  now  stands  the  Fourth  Ward  School 
House. 

"  In  1829  a  Flint  Glass  House  was  erected  in  Wheeling  by 
John  and  Craig  Ritchie,  located  on  the  side  of  the  hill,  east  of 
the  Second  Ward  Market  House.  This  establishment  was 
operated  for  several  years  with  great  activity  and  success,  and 
had  a  wide  spread  reputation  for  the  manufacture  of  fine  cut 
glass-ware. 

"  This  success,  and  the  unrivalled  advantages  for  procur 
ing  cheap  fuel  at  Wheeling,  encouraged  other  firms  to  embark 
in  the  business,  and  in  1835  the  Messrs.  Sweeney  put  a  large 
'  Flint  Glass  Works  '  into  operation,  in  the  northern  part  of 
the  town,  which  was  followed  in  the  course  of  the  next  few 
years,  by  the  erection  of  another  large  establishment  at  the 
extreme  south  end,  built  by  Plunkett  &  Miller.  The  estab 
lishment  built  by  the  Messrs.  Sweeney,was  operated  actively  for 
more  than  35  years,  in  Wheeling,  until,  in  the  changes  of 
business,  its  proprietors  found  it  to  their  advantage  to  move 
it  across  the  river,  where  it  is  now  known  as  the  '  Excelsior 
Glass  Works.' "  These  works,  though  on  the  Ohio  side,  are 
operated  by  Wheeling  capital,  and  have  the  company  incor 
porated  under  the  laws  of  West  Virginia.  Hence,  as  it  is  in 
fact  a  Wheeling  enterprise,  it  should  be  mentioned  here.  Mr. 
J.  Bell,  the  President  of  the  company,  has  kindly  furnished 
us  with  the  following  statistics  : 

"  The  goods  manufactured  are  known  as  crystal  glassware 
made  up  into  table,  lamp,  and  bar  goods,  such  as  goblets 
tumblers,  pitchers,  bowls,  dishes,  beer  glasses,  lamps^  lamp- 
chimneys,  &c.  About  150  persons  are  employed,  of  whom  10 
to  15  are  females.  The  annual  product  is  about  $115,000." 

Returning  to  the  establishments  within  the  limits  of  the 
city  of  Wheeling,  we  quote  still  further  from  Mr.  Bell's 
description  of  them  : 

"  The  works  built  at  the  south  end  of  the  city  by  Plunkett 


RESOURCES  OF  WEST  VIRGINIA.  403 

&  Miller,  are  now  owned  and  operated  by  Hobbs,  Brockunier 
&  Co.  The  establishment  has  grown  to  be  one  of  the  most 
extensive  in  the  country,  and  its  products  deservedly  have  a 
national  reputation  for  excellence  of  quality. 

"  Another  extensive  and  noted  establishment  located  in  the 
city  of  Wheeling,  is  known  as  the  '  Central  Glass  Works,7 
making  flint  glassware.  This  has  been  in  existence  about 
fourteen  years.  It  commenced  with  one  small  furnace,  and 
now  has  three  large  furnaces,  producing  large  quantities  of 
common  and  fine  cut  glassware,  and  enjoys  a  reputation 
equal  to  any  in  the  country. 

"  The  increase  in  the  number  of  establishments  does  not 
fully  represent  the  growth  of  glass  production  in  Wheeling, 
for  it  is  safe  to  say  that  any  one  of  the  works  now  operating 
makes  ten  times  the  quantity  produced  by  any  one  running  in 
Wheeling  forty  years  ago.  The  improvement  in  quality,  and 
the  cheapening  of  the  cost  of  production  have  been  equally 
marked.  Articles  of  great  beauty  of  design,  excellence  of 
finish,  and  unsurpassed  in  purity  of  metal,  are  of  every  day 
manufacture,  and  are  sold  at  prices  so  low  as  to  excite  sur 
prise.  It  is  safe  to  say  that  nowhere  is  glassware  of  equal 
quality  made  more  cheaply  than  in  Wheeling." 

IRON  INTERESTS  OF  WHEELING. 
BY   A.    W.    CAMPBELL,    ESQ. 

Wheeling  is  chiefly  known  as  the  centre  of  a  large  iron 
industry,  particularly  for  Cut  Nails.  The  city  and  vicinity 
constitute  the  largest  Nail  market  in  the  world.  The  growth 
of  this  business,  as  indeed  of  all  the  manufactures  of  Wheel 
ing,  is  due  to  the  abundance  of  cheap  fuel  (stone  coal)  in  the 
hills  around  the  city,  and  to  the  facilities  for  reaching  all  the 
markets  of  the  country,  either  by  rail  or  water,  at  low  rates 
for  freight. 

The  iron  out  of  which  these  nails  is  made  is  produced  on 
the  spot,  mostly  from  mixtures  of  Missouri  and  Lake  Supe 
rior  ores,  and  when  made  is  immediately  in  market,  without 
cost  for  transportation.  There  are  now,  at  Wheeling  and 
Steubenville,  nine  blast  furnaces  for  the  manufacture  of  iron, 
as  follows  :  On  the  Wheeling  side  of  the  river,  the  "  Top 
"  furnace,  the  "  Belmont,"  and  the  "  Riverside."  On  the 


404  RESOURCES  OF    WEST   VIRGINIA. 

Ohio  side,  the  "Bellaire"  furnace,  the  "  Benwood,"  the  "Mingo," 
the  two  "Jefferson'-  furnaces,  and  the  "  Stony  Hollow."  These 
furnaces  have  mostly  16  feet  boshes  and  60  feet  stacks.  The 
"  Top  Mill  • '  has  an  18  foot  bosh,  and  the  Benwood  a  13  foot. 
They  produce  mostly  '•  Red  Short  "  irons,  such  as  are  used  for 
Nails.  At  this  time  iron  is  made  as  low  as  $19  per  ton,  worth 
in  the  market  say  $22,  on  four  months'  time.  The  connec 
tion  now  being  made,  via  the  Hempfield  Short-line,  between 
Wheeling  and  Connellsville,  will  so  reduce  the  price  of  coke 
as  to  give  Wheeling  a  further  margin  in  its  manufacture 
of  iron. 

The  Nail  mills  at  Wheeling  and  vicinity  are  as  follows : 
The  "  Riverside "  works,  running  126  machines,  including, 
also,  a  separate  Bar  and  Rail  mill  belonging  to  the  same 
company.  Their  blast  furnace  is  three  miles  below  their 
mills,  with  which  they  connect  by  rail  and  water. 

The  "Top  Mill,"  running  106  machines,  situated  in  the 
north  part  of  the  city,  on  the  line  of  the  Pittsburgh,  Wheel 
ing  and  Kentucky  railroad — a  new  road  not  yet  completed. 
Their  blast  furnace  immediately  adjoins  their  mill,  and  iron 
can  be  handled  at  a  minimum  cost  through  all  its  processes. 

The  "Belmont  Nail  Works,"  situated  in  Center  Wheeling, 
running  110  machines.  This  mill  has  turned  out  as  high  as 
8,155  kegs  of  nails  in  one  week,  on  an  extraordinary  run.  Its 
blast  furnace  immediately  adjoins  the  mill.  It  has  also  a  large 
cooper  shop,  whereat  all  its  kegs  are  made. 

The  La  Belle  Nail  Works,  running  85  machines,  but  is  one 
of  two  mills  owned  by  the  same  company.  The  other  is  the 
Jefferson,  situated  at  Steubsnville,  and  it  also  runs  85  ma 
chines,  and  has  two  blast  furnaces.  Together  they  form  a 
large  and  wealthy  company,  which  was  originally  started  as  a 
practical  workingmen's  organization. 

The  Benwood  Nail  Works,  running  112  machines,  four  miles 
below  the  city.  The  company  owns  some  80  tenement  houses, 
and  has  built  up  the  suburb  of  "  Benwood."  The  Mill  has  a 
cooper  establishment  connected  with  it.  Its  blast  furnace  is 
on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river,  in  the  suburb  of  Martin's 
Ferry. 

The  Bellaire  Nail  Works,  situated  immediately  opposite 
Benwood,  on  the  Ohio  side,  runs  100  machines,  and  has  a  blast 


RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA.  405 

furnace  on  its  premises.     Is  a  large  and  valuable  property. 

The  Ohio  Ci5y  Nail  Works,  situated  in  the  suburb  of  Mar 
tin's  Ferry,  a  town  lying  opposite  the  north  end  of  the  city 
of  Wheeling.  This  is  a  new  mill,  and  only  runs  50  machines. 
On  a  double  turn  it  can  produce  2,500  kegs  of  Nails  per  week. 

During  the  years  1871,  72  and  '73,  the  mills  above  named, 
except  the  Ohio  City,  produced  2,995,509  kegs  of  Nails.  In 
those  years  Wheeling  manufactured  about  one  fourth  of  all  the 
Nails  made  in  the  United  States. 

Nails  can  be  shipped  at  the  following  low  rates  of  freight: 
To  New  Orleans,  20  cents  per  keg ;  to  St.  Louis,  10  cents ;  to 
Chicago,  22  cents ;  to  Cincinnati,  7  cents. 

The  other  principal  iron  manufactories  of  Wheeling  and 
vicinity,  are  as  follows  : 

The  Wheeling  Hinge  Company,  now  in  the  12th  year  of  its 
existence,  has  steadily  grown  from  a  small  affair  to  be  a  large 
concern.  It  owns  the  patent  for  the  Dunning  hinge — an  arti 
cle  intended  to  supersede,  to  a  certain  extent,  the  old  screw 
and  strap  hinge. 

The  Superior  Machine  Works,  a  large  concern  organized  for 
the  manufacture  of  the  Superior  Reaping  and  Mowing  Ma 
chines,  and  where  also  engines  and  other  machinery  are  built. 

The  Centripetal  Power  Company  Works,  organized  for  the 
manufacture  of  portable  machinery  for  the  use  (principally) 
of  farmers,  whereby  important  advantages  are  claimed  in  over 
coming  friction,  and  in  the  retention  of  speed  and  momentum. 

The  Crescent  Rail  and  Sheet  Mills — situated  on  the  south 
bank  of  Wheeling  creek — connected  by  a  bridge  across  said 
creek  with  the  4th  ward  of  the  city,  and  directly  opposite  the 
works  of  the  Wheeling  Hinge  Co.  A  large  concern,  owned  by 
the  VVhitakers,  well  known  iron  men.  Is  principally  run 
now  on  sheet  iron. 

The  .-Etna  Iron  Works,  situated  in  the  suburb  of  ^Etnaville, 
a  new  village  just  growing  up  opposite  the  city,  midway  be 
tween  Bridgeport  and  Martin's  Ferry.  Manufactures  bar  and 
sheet  iron,  and  also  small  rails  for  coal  banks  and  light  roads. 

The  Norway  Tack  Factory,  situated  in  the  4th  ward  of  the 
city;  started  in  1865 — owned  by  Jones,  Heald  &  Phinney — 
manufactures  all  varieties  of  tacks  and  a  fine,  three-penny  nail. 

The  Arlington  Stove  Works  and  Foundry  of  Joseph  Bell  «fr 


406  RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA. 

Co.  ;  the  Star  Stove  Works  and  Foundry  of  Benjamin  Fisher ; 
the  Boiler  Works  of  Moorehead  &  Son ;  the  Foundry,  Machine 
and  Repair  Works  of  A.  J.  Sweeney  &  Son  ;  the  Foundry,  Ma 
chine  and  Repair  Works  of  Cecil,  Hobbs  &  Co.;  the  Bellaire  Im 
plement  Factory ;  the  Stove  Works  and  Foundry  of  Spence, 
Baggs  &  Co.,  at  Martin's  Ferry;  the  Ohio  Valley  Machine  Works 
of  L.  Spence  &  Co.,  (same  place,)  whereat  were  built  the  engines 
of  the  Belmont  Blast  Furnace,  and  where  also  are  made  Thresh 
ers  and  Cleaners,  and  other  machinery;  the  large  Foundry  of 
Culbertson,  Wiley  &  Co.,  (same  place,)  where  was  cast  the 
heavy  iron  work  of  the  J^tna  Mill. 

The  foregoing  are  the  principal  iron  establishments  in  and 
around  Wheeling.  Quite  a  number  of  them  are  of  recent  ori 
gin,  either  in  whole  or  part.  Just  previous  to  the  panic  of 
1873,  an  important  impetus  had  been  given  to  the  develop 
ment  of  the  iron  business  of  this  vicinity,  growing  out,  as  we 
have  said,  of  the  abundance  of  cheap  fuel  and  the  facilities  for 
shipment.  It  is  hoped  that  these  advantages  will,  at  an  early 
day,  re-assert  themselves,  and  go  on,  as  in  the  years  '72  and  '73, 
increasing  the  number  of  our  manufactories. 

Tanneries. — The  business  of  tanning  has  long  been  impor 
tant  in  Wheeling.  Hides  and  bark  are  obtained  in  the  vicin 
ity.  The  following  data  are  given  by  one  knowing  the  facts  : 
2  large  steam  tanneries  and  5  small  ones,  employ  100  work 
men,  use  yearly  4,700  cords  of  bark,  25,000  hides,  and  make 
725,000  Ibs.  of  harness,  sole  and  upper  leather;  the  principal 
part  being  harness  leather,  of  a  quality  second  to  none  in  the 
country,  which  is  sold  to  all  parts  of  the  Union,  from  Main  to 
Wisconsin,  Kansas  and  Texas.  These  tanneries  also  dress  8,000 
calfskins,  and  60,000  to  70,000  sheep  skins  a  year.  Large 
numbers  of  saddles,  harness,  collars,  &c.,  are  made  in  the  city. 
2  glue  factories  make  75,000  Ibs.  of  glue  yearly. 

Lumber. — This  trade  is  extensive.  5  large  steam  planing 
mills  make  flooring,  doors,  sash,  boxes,  &c.  Steamboat  build 
ing,  and  the  making  of  wagons,  carriages,  barrels,  kegs  and 
other  articles  composed  in  whole  or  part  of  wood,  deserve 
mention.  Furniture  is  made  in  several  factories. 

Miscellaneous. — Six  factories  are  engaged  in  making  candy. 
The  amount  made  yearly,  exceeds  350,000  Ibs.  I  woolen  fac 
tory  uses  from  60,000  to  80,000  Ibs.  of  wool,  making  6,000 yards 
of  flannel  a  month,  also  knitting  yarn.  2  factories  make  soap 


RESOURCES  OF  WEST  VIRGINIA.  407 

and  candles.  The  supply  of  clay  for  brick  is  good,  abundant, 
and  largely  worked.  The  manufacture  of  flour,  paper,  drugs 
and  medicines,  paper  boxes,  blank  books,  printed  calico,  gloves, 
brushes,  willow  ware,  shoe  nails,  and  wrought  trace  chains? 
while  not  as  extensive  as  the  interests  before  named,  should 
not  be  overlooked.  It  may  be  added  that  Wheeling  manufac 
tures  enjoy  the  reputation  of  being  exceedingly  well  made. 

PENDLETON  COUNTY. 

Pendleton  county  in  position,  topography,  and  soil,  belongs 
to  the  South  Branch  group  of  counties,  and  much  that  was 
said  of  Hampshire  and  Hardy  may  be  said  of  it.  The  amount 
of  mountain  land  is  larger,  however,  and  the  elevations  are 
greater,  the  surface  rougher,  and  the  amount  of  cultivation 
less  than  in  the  counties  to  the  north  of  it.  The  mountains  of 
this  county  form  some  of  the  highest,  if  not  the  very  highest, 
land  in  the  State.  The  soils  are  sandy,  sandy  loams,  clayey 
loams,  with  some  calcareous  soil.  The  crops  are  Wheat,  Corn, 
Rye,  Oats,  Buckwheat,  and  Grass,  which  latter  is  the  staple. 
The  grains  are  raised  only  for  home  consumption.  The  depth 
of  soil  on  the  highlands  is  0  to  12  inches ;  on  the  levels,  4  to 
12  inches.  Yields  of  grain  on  the  bottom  lands,  are  Corn,  20 
to  50  bushels  ;  Wheat,  12  to  15  bushels ;  Oats  and  Buckwheat, 
25  to  40  bushels.  On  improved  uplands,  not  much  less.  The 
mountainous  lands  are  not  cultivated.  Value  of  land :  The 
South  Branch  agricultural  land  is  worth  from  85  to  $100  per 
acre ;  timber  land  is  worth  from  $5  to  $10.  Timber  is  worth 
on  the  stump,  35  to  50  cents  per  cord ;  at  the  mills,  $10  to 
$12.50  per  1,000.  The  principal  industries  are  farming  and 
stock  raising.  The  principal  exports,  cattle,  sheep,  horses  and 
wool.  The  principal  market  for  stock  is-  Baltimore.  Min 
erals  :  Iron,  in  workable  quantities  (brown  and  red  hematite, 
and  fossil  ore).  Limestone  in  abundance  for  agricultural  and 
building  purposes.  Some  potters'  clay,  that  has  been  worked 
with  success.  Good  limestone  and  sandstone  for  building. 
Mineral  waters  :  White  Sulphur,  Alum,  and  Chalybeate.  One 
woolen  factory  exists.  Principal  streams  :  Headwaters  of  the 
South  Branch  of  the  Potomac ;  these  are  not  navigable.  Pres 
ent  means  of  transportation,  county  roads.  Contemplated  : 
The  Cumberland,  Moorefield  and  Broadway  railroad,  Potomac 
and  Ohio  railroad,  Shenandoah  and  Ohio  railroad,  W.,  C.  & 


408  RESOURCES  OF   WEST   VIRGINIA. 

St.  L.  Narrow  Gauge  railroad.  Public  schools,  63.  Churches, 
13.  Postoffices,  15.  Value  of  taxable  property,  81,559,435.51. 
Population,  6,455.  County  seat,  Franklin.  Newspaper,  Pen- 
dleton  New^  weekly. 

PLEASANTS  COUNTY. 

This  county  is  hilly,  like  the  others  along  the  Ohio  river, 
and  has  a  good  deal  of  flat  land  along  the  Ohio,  and  the  numer 
ous  creeks  which  empty  into  it.  On  the  bottoms,  the  soil  is  a 
sandy  loam ;  on  the  hills,  clayey  loam,  with  some  calcareous 
land.  The  first  Ohio  bottoms  have  3  feet  and  more  of  soil ; 
the  second  bottom  sand  valleys,  1  foot  and  more  ;  the  hills,  6  to 
8  inches.  Crops  are  Corn,  Oats,  Wheat,  Rye,  Potatoes,  and 
Grass.  On  the  bottoms  Corn  yields  40  to  60  bushels;  Wheat, 
15  to  30;  Oats,  20  to  30;  Rye,  20.  Hills  yield  of  Com,  20  to 
25  bushels;  Wheat,  10;  Oats,  15;  Rye,  10.  No  manures  used 
for  these  yields.  The  value  of  the  land  is:  Ohio  bottoms,  $80 
to  $100;  creek  bottoms,  $40  to  $50 ;  hill  land,  815  to  20;  timber 
land,  $10  to  20.  Timber  is  worth,  stumpage,  2  cents  per  linear 
foot ;  at  the  mill,  10  cents  per  cubic  foot.  Principal  industries, 
farming,  stock  raising,  and  lumbering.  Principal  exports, 
grain,  cattle,  wool,  lumber,  cooperage  stuff,  etc.  Market  for 
stock,  Baltimore ;  for  grain,  lumber,  etc.,  points  down  the  Ohio 
river.  Minerals  :  Thin  coal  seams  above  water  level.  Some 
good  sandstone  for  building.  Petroleum  and  salt  water  are 
found.  The  petroleum  is  worked  and  exported.  Several  tan 
neries,  barrel  and  shingle  factories,  saw  mills,  etc.,  exist,  but 
are  not  definitely  reported.  'The  principal  streams  are  the 
Ohio  river  and  Middle  Island  creek.  Middle  Island  is  naviga 
ble  for  flatboats,  rafts,  etc.,  when  high.  Present  means  of  trans 
portation  :  The  Ohio  river,  Baltimore  and  Ohio  railroad,  and 
Middle  Island.  Contemplated  :  Slack  water  navigation  for 
Middle  Island,  the  Pittsburgh,  Wheeling  and  Kentucky  rail 
road.  Public  schools,  25.  Churches,  15.  Postoffices,  6.  Pop 
ulation,  3,012.  Value  of  taxable  property,  $784,841. 86.  County 
seat,  Saint  Marys. 

POCAHONTAS  COUNTY. 

This  county  has  a  considerable  variety  of  surface.  Much 
of  the  land  is  in  high  mountains,  which  are  rough  and 
broken.  The  county  has  a  good  deal  of  the  smoothly  undu 
lating  limestone  land,  found  in  Greenbrier  and  Monroe, 


RESOURCES  OF  WEST   VIRGINIA.  409 

which  is  of  the  finest  character.  The  soils  are  calcareous  clays, 
or  loams,  or  sandy  loams.  On  the  levels,  the  depth  is  18 
inches  and  more:  on  the  hills  and  highlands,  0  to  6  inches. 
Crops  are  Corn,  Wheat,  Oats,  R>e,  Buckwheat,  and  Grass. 
Yields  on  the  bottoms,  Corn,  35  to  40  bushels  ;  Wheat,  15  to 
20;  Oats,  30  to  40  ;  Rye,  20  to  30;  Buckwheat,  20  to  30  bush 
els  ;  on  the  uplands,  when  cultivated,  Corn,  20  to  25  ;  Wheat, 
8  to  10;  Oats,  25  to  30;  Rye,  20  to  25;  Buckwheat,  30  to  40 
bushels.  No  manures  used  with  these  yields.  Value  of  best 
agricultural  land,  S40  to  875  per  acre;  of  ordinary  $5  to  20; 
of  timber  land,  £1  to  88.  Timber,  stumpage,  is  sold  by  the 
acre  at  81.50  to  $2  per  acre ;  at  the  saw  mills  lumber  is  worth 
812,50  per  1,000.  The  principal  industries  are  farming  and 
grazing.  The  principal  exports  are,  cattle,  sheep,  timber,  and 
farm  produce.  Market  for  farm  produce,  Staunton  :  for  cattle, 
Baltimore  and  New  York  :  timber,  mainly  white  pine,  is  &ent 
down  the  Greenbrier  river  to  Ronceverte.  Minerals,  limestone 
in  abundance  for  agricultural  and  building  purposes ;  good 
sandstone  for  building;  also  grits  for  grindstones  and  whet 
stones  ;  iron  ore  of  good  quality  and  in  workable  seams. 
Mineral  waters,  sulphur  and  chalybeate.  Principal  stream, 
Greenbrier  river,  navigable  for  rafts  and  small  boats  in  high 
water.  Present  means  of  transportation,  the  turnpike  and 
dirt  roads  to  the  Chesapeake  and  Ohio  railroad.  Contempla 
ted:  Improvement  of  the  Greenbrier  river,  the  W.  C.  &  St.  L. 
Narrow  Gauge  railroad,  North  Branch  railroad,  West  Virginia 
railroad.  Public  Schools,  35;  Qhurches,  9;  Postoffices,  16. 
Population,  4,069.  Value  of  taxable  property,  81,405,462.69. 
County  seat,  Huntersville. 

PRESTON  COUNTY. 

The  surface  of  Preston  county  shows  a  good  deal  of  variety, 
it  being  mountainous,  hilly  and  rolling,  and  "glady,"  or  with 
a  rolling  plateau  character.  The  soil  varies  a  good  deal  also, 
being  sandy,  sandy  loam,  clay  loam,  and  calcareous  loam. 
The  limestone  appears  in  the  hills,  and  gives  the  strongest 
soil.  The  "  glade  land  "  has  a  deep,  black,  unctious  soil,  often 
several  feet  deep,  and  sometimes  needs  ditching.  Crops  are 
Corn,  Wheat,  Oats,  Rye,  and  Buckwheat.  The  depth  of  soil 
on  the  levels  is  12  to  15  inches  ;  on  the  hills,  4  to  6  inches- 
Yields  of  grain,  Corn,  25  to  40 ;  Oats,  15  to  25 ;  Buckwheat, 


41 0  RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA. 

20  to  25  ;  Rye,  12  to  15  bushels.  These  are  on  improved 
agricultural  lands.  Value  of  land,  best  agricultural,  $25  to 
840;  common,  from  $10  to  $20;  timber  land.  $5  to  $10 ;  min 
eral  land,  $5  to  $40.  Value  of  timber,  sturnpage,  SI  per  tree  ; 
at  the  mills,  $10  to  $15  per  1,000.  Principal  industries,  farm 
ing,  grazing  and  lumbering.  Principal  exports,  stock,  lum 
ber,  and  coal.  Markets  for  all  these  are  in  the  eastern  cities. 
The  minerals  are  coal  (common  bituminous),  in  several  good 
workable  seams ;  iron  (siderite),  in  workable  quantities  ; 
an  abunance  of  excellent  limestone,  for  building  and  agricul 
tural  purposes ;  good  sandstone,  for  building  purposes  ;  pot 
ters'  clay  of  good  quality  is  found  and  worked.  Manufactures 
and  mines,  the  Newburg  Orrell  Coal  Company,  and  the  Aus 
tin  mines,  both  ship  a  good  deal  of  coal.  Besides  these,  there 
are  many  openings  for  local  use.-  Manufactures,  tfec.,  are,  two 
iron  furnaces,  one  foundry,  four  woolen  factories,  besides  vari 
ous  saw  and  grist  mills;  one  cigar  factory,  making  105,400 
cigars  ;  stave  factories,  cvc.,  etc.,  the  number  and  kind  not 
being  definitely  reported.  The  principal  stream  is  Cheat, 
navigable  in  its  lower  portion  for  rafts  and  flat  boats.  Pres 
ent  means  of  transportation,  Baltimore  and  Ohio  railroad  and 
several  good  turnpike  roads.  Contemplated  improvements, 
Iron  Valley  and  Pennsylvania  Line  railroad.  Public  Schools, 
110;  Churches,  38;  Postoffices,  30.  Population,  14,555.  Value 
of  taxable  property,  $3,106,778.00.  County  seat,  Kingwood, 
with  about  900  inhabitants.  Newspapers,  Presion  County 
Jfjiiriial  and  Preston  County  Herald,  both  weekly. 

PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

This  county  is  generally  hilly  and  rolling.  It  has  a  good 
deal  of  bottom  land  of  considerable  fertility  on  the  Kana- 
wha  and  the  numerous  creeks.  These  bottoms  are  a  mile 
wide-  on  the  Kanawha,  and  have  a  deep  loam.  On  the 
hills  the  soil  is  clay,  and  calcareous  clayey  loam,  of  con 
siderable  productiveness.  The  county  is  wooded  over  five- 
sixths  of  its  area.  The  crops  are  Corn,  Wheat,  Oats,  Buck 
wheat,  and  Tobacco.  Yields  of  Corn  on  the  bottoms  are  50  to 
-SO  bushels:  Wheat,  12  to  15  bushels  ;  Oats,  25  to  30  bushels: 
while  on  the  hills  Corn  produces  20  to  30  bushels;  Wheat, 
•S  to  10  The  soil  on  the  bottoms  is  many  feet  deep,  and  on 
the  hills  12  to^  IS  indies,  producing  line  grass  and  tobacco. 


RESOURCES   OF   WEST    VIRGINIA. 

Value  of  land  :  Kanawha  bottoms  bring  $100,  other  lands  from 
$1  to  $20,  according  to  location  and  condition.  Timber,  stump- 
age,  is  worth  about  SI  per  tree  ;  at  the  mills,  $13.  Principal 
industries  :  Farming  and  Lumbering.  Principal  exports,  Lum 
ber,  Cooperage  Stuff,  Grain,  and  Coal.  Staves,  &c  ,  go  to  Eng 
land  ;  Farm  Produce,  to  Richmond  and  Cincinnati  ;  Timber, 
in  logs,  and  Coal  are  sent  down  the  river  to  Cincinnati,  &c. 
Minerals:  Coal  of  fme  quality,  and  workable  in  quantity,  is 
above  water  level ;  some  good  Limestone,  and  Sandstone  suit 
able  for  building  occurs.  Mines  :  Raymond  Coal  Co.,  ship- 
ing  annually  from  1,300,000  to  1,400,000  bushels.  ,Oak  Ridge 
Colliery  ha^  just  commenced  operations.  Manufactories,  &c.: 
A  large  Flour  Mill  at  Buffalo,  Flour  and  Saw  Mill  at  Win- 
field,  Saw  Mill  at  Hurricane,  and  at  Raymond  City,  all  driv 
en  by  steam.  Principal  streams,  Kanawha,  navigable  for 
steamers  ;  Pocatalico,  navigable  for  batteauxand  rafts  in  good 
water.  Present  means  of  transportation,  Kanawha  river  and 
Ches.  &  Ohio  railroad.  Contemplated  :  Improvement  of  the 
Kanawha  river,  now  going  on,  and  the  West  Va.  R.  R.  Public 
Schools,  48;  Churches,  14;  Postofnces,  11.  Population,  7,79-1. 
Value  of  taxable  property,  $1,823,624  00.  County  seat,  Win- 
lield.  Newspaper,  Winfield  Independent,  weekly. 

RALEIGH  COUNTY. 

The  surface  of  Raleigh  is  hilly  and  mountainous,  with  a 
large  proportion  of  plateau  land,  covered  with  undulating  and 
rolling  hills.  The  rivers  cut  deeply  into  the  plane  of  the 
country,  and  the  roughest  land  lies  in  the  sides  of  the  hills 
facing  them.  The  soil  is  a  loam,  or  sandy  loam,  4  to  6  inches 
deep  on  the  hills,  and  6  to  10  inches,  or  more,  on  the  levels. 
The  hills  and  levels  produce  about  alike.  The  crops  are  Corn, 
Wheat,  Oats,  Buckwheat,  and  Potatoes.  Yields  are  Corn,  20 
to  40  bushels  ;  Oats,  20  to  25 ;  Wheat,  10 ;  Rye,  15  to  25  ;•  Pota 
toes,  100  to  150.  Price  of  agricultural  land,  $5  to  $15 ;  of  tim 
ber  and  coal  lands,  from  $1  to  $5.  Timber  is  worth  50  cents 
to  $1  per  tree,  according  to  kind  and  location;  at  the  mills, 
$10  per  1,000.  Principal  industries,  farming  and  stock  rais 
ing.  Principal  exports,  cattle.  Market:  Cattle  go  to  Balti 
more.  Manufactures,  etc.:  Several  steam  saw  mills,  besides 
the  usual  grist  and  saw  mills  on  streams.  Minerals  :  Coal,  in 
workable  seams  of  good  quality ;  iron,  in  workable  quantities ; 


412  RESOURCES   OF   WEST    VIRGINIA. 

sandstone  of  good  quality  for  building;  good  millstone  grit. 
Principal  streams:  New  river,  navigable  for  batteaux;  Piney 
river,  for  logs,  in  full  water.  Present  means  of  transporta 
tion  :  Chesapeake  and  Ohio  railroad  and  county  roads.  Con 
templated:  The  improvement  of  New  river,  and  the  Coal  River 
railroad.  Public  schools,  47.  Churches,  4.  Postoffices,  10. 
Population,  3,673.  Value  of  taxable  property,  $730,862.19. 
County  seat,  Raleigh  C.  H. 

RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 

This  county  is  quite  mountainous,  with  a  large  proportion 
of  rolling  plateau,  or  glade  land',  and  a  good  deal  of  fertile 
bottom  land  along  the  streams.  It  has  a  great  amount  of 
heavily  timbered  iorests,  and  a  considerable  proportion  is 
owned  in  large  tracts.  The  bottoms  are  loam,  and  sandy  loam  > 
the  uplands  and  glades,  sandy  loam,  and  some  calcareous  land. 
On  the  hills  the  depth  is  3  to  10  inches ;  on  the  bottoms,  from 
one  to  many  feet.  Crops  are  Corn,  Wheat,  Oats,  Rye,  Buckwheat 
and  fine  Grass.  Corn  produces  on  the  levels,  25  to  70  bushels; 
Wheat,  10  to  15 ;  Oats,  25  to  40.  On  the  hills,  Corn,  15  to  25  ; 
Wheat,  8  to  10;  Oats,  20  ;  BucV  wheat,  20.  Value  of  improved 
land,  bottoms,  $50  to  $100;  mountain,  or  glade  land,  $4  to  $10; 
timber  land,  in  large  tracts,  Irom  $1  to  $2.50  per  acre.  Value 
of  timber,  stumpage,  $1  per  tree.  After  sawing  at  the  mills, 
$10  to  $12.50  per  1,000.  Principal  industries,  farming  and 
stock  raising.  Principal  exports  :  Stock  and  wool.  The  stock 
goes  to  eastern  markets.  Minerals:  Coal,  in  workable  beds  in 
the  western  part ;  limestone,  suitable  for  building  and 
agricultural  purposes;  good  sandstone  for  building.  Tygart's 
Valley  is  the  principal  stream;  navigable  for  small  boats 
in  full  water.  Present  means  of  transportation:  Turnpikes 
and  good  county  roads.  Contemplated  improvements  :  Wash 
ington  and  Ohio  railroad,  Potomac  and  Ohio  railroad,  W.,  C. 
&  St.  L.  Narrow  Gauge  railroad,  Shenandoah  and  Ohio  rail 
road,  and  West  Va.  railroad.  Public  schools,  70.  Churches,  14. 
Postoffices,  17.  Population,  5,563.  Value  of  taxable  property, 
$1,561,101.23.  County  seat,  Beverly.  Newspaper,  Randolph 
Enterprise,  week ly . 

KITCHIJEJ  COUNTY. 

This  county  is  for  the  most  part  very  hilly,  and  some  of  the 
hills  are  quite  high,  rising  600  feet  above  their  valleys.  There 


RESOURCES   OF   WEST   VIRGINIA.  413 

are  fine  bottom  lands  along  the  streams.  The  soils  are  clayey 
and  sandy  loams,  on  the  levels,  12  to  18  inches  deep,  and  on 
the  hills,  4  to  6  inches.  The-  crops  adapted  to  these  soils  are, 
Corn,  Oats,  and  Grass.  But  little  wheat  is  sown,  and  most  of 
the  flour  used  comes  from  the  State  of  Ohio.  The  crops  aver 
age,  per  acre,  on  the  levels,  Corn,  40  to  50  bushels ;  Oats,  20  to 
25  :  Potatoes,  75  to  100  ;  Grass,  2  tons,  and  1  ton  on  the  hills. 
The  hill  crops  of  the  grains  are  often  as  good  as  those  on  the 
levels.  No  manures  are  used  for  these  yields.  The  value  of 
the  agricultural  land  is  810  to  820  per  acre,  and  of  the  timber 
land  from  84  to  86,  according  to  location  and  amount  of  tim 
ber.  Value  of  timber,  stumpage,  $1  per  tree,  and  at  the  mills, 
8  to  10  cents  per  cubic  foot.  Principal  industries,  farming, 
grazing,  lumbering,  arid  -oil  production.  Principal  exports, 
timber,  lumber,  cooperage  stuff,  on  a  iarge  scale,  stock,  oil,  and 
building  stone.  Principal  markets,  Parkersburg,  Cincinnati, 
Baltimore,  and  eastern  cities.  The  minerals  are,  petroleum, 
building  stone  of  fine  quality,  and  small  seams  of  coal  above 
water  level.  Manufactures,  &c.,  stave  factory  at  Pennsboro, 
one  at  Petroleum,  and  four  mills  on  the  North  Fork  of 
Hughes'  river,  five  mills  on  the  South  Fork,  and  several 
steam  and  water  mills  in  other  parts  of  the  county  ;  cigar  fac. 
tories  making  77,000  cigars.  The  Baltimore  and  Ohio  Railroad 
Company  works  a  large  and  valuable  quarry  of  superior  build 
ing  stone.  The  Ritchie  Asphaltum  mines  formerly  carried  on. 
extensive  operations,  but  the  deposit  has  now  given  out.  The 
principal  streams  are  the  North  and  South  Forks  of  Hughes' 
river.  They  are  navigable  for  rafts,  ba.tteaux,  and  canoes,  on 
a  full  stage  of  water.  The  means  of  transportation  are,  Park 
ersburg  Branch  of  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  jailroad,  Penns 
boro  and  Harris ville  railroad,  and  county  roads.  Public 
Schools,  78  ;  Postoffices,  21 ;  Churches,  35.  Population,  9,055. 
Value  o;  taxable  property,  SI, 981, 650.00.  Newspaper,  Ritchie 
Gazette,  weekly,  published  at  Harris  ville,  the  county  seat. 

KOANE  COUBITY. 

The  surface  of  this  county  is  hilly  and  roiling.  The  hills  are 
lower  than  those  on  the  Kanawha  river,  and  have  broad  tops, 
with  gentle  slopes  and  valleys  of  considerable  width  between 
them.  The  soil  is  clay,  and  clay  loam,  usually  with  calcare, 
ous  matter,  and  very  fertile,  The  depth  on  the  hills  and 


414  RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA. 

levels  is  nearly  the  same,  vi/.:  8  to  12  inches.  Crops  are, 
Corn,  Wheat,  Oats,  Tobacco  and  Grass.  The  bottoms  yield,  of 
Corn,  40  to  50  bushels ;  Wheat,  15  to  20  bushels  ;  Oats,  30  to 
40.  On  the  hills.  Corn  produces  25  to  30  ;  Wheat  10  to  15 ; 
Oats,  20  to  25.  Value  of  agricultural  land,  S10  to  $20;  of 
timber  land  15.  The  timber  of  Roane  is  very  fine.  European 
ship  builders  have  agents  getting  out  material  for  exportation. 
Timber  is  worth  75  cents  to  $1  per  tree,  stumpage,  and  at  the 
mills,  $10  to  $14  per  1,000.  Principal  industries,  farming 
stock  raising,  and  lumbering.  Principal  exports,  cattle, 
tobacco,  forest  and  orchard  products.  Market  for  farm  pro 
duce,  Charleston  and  home  ;  for  stock,  Baltimore  ;  for  tobacco, 
Parkersburg ;  for  timber,  Parkersburg  and  points  on  the 
Ohio.  Minerals,  coal,  in  a  good  seam  above  water  level ;  good 
sandstone  for  building.  The  county  has  flouring  and  other 
mills,  and  woolen  factories,  but  as  they  have  not  been  reported 
we  cannot  say  anything  definitely  about  them.  Pocatalico  is 
the  principal  stream,  and  is  navigable  in  high  water  for  flat- 
boats  and  rafts.  Present  means  of  transportation,  county 
roads.  Contemplated  improvements,  Washington  and  Ohio 
railroad,  and  W.  C.  &  St.  L.  Narrow  Gauge  railroad.  Public 
Schools,  72;  Churches,  6  ;  Postoffices,  16.  Population,  7,232. 
Value  of  taxable  property,  $1,022,767.00.  County  seat. 
Spencer. 

SUMMERS   COUNTY. 

This  county  has  some  high  mountains  and  a  large  proportion 
of  rolling,  or  gently  undulating  plateau  land.  The  soil  is  sandy 
or  loam,  and  clay  loam,  with  calcareous  matter  in  some  parts. 
On  the  hills  it  is  3  to  6  inches  deep ;  on  the  bottoms,  6  to  12. 
The  crops  are  Corn,  Wheat,  Oats,  Rye,  Tobacco  and  Grass. 
Corn  yields,  on  the  levels,  30  to  35  bushels  ;  Wheat,  15  to  18; 
Rye,  15 ;  Oats,  35.  On  the  hills,  Wheat  and  Rye,  10  bushels  ; 
Corn  and  Oats,  25  ;  Tobacco,  600  pounds.  Value  of  agricul 
tural  land,  from  $10  to  $40  per  acre  ;  of  timber  land,  $1  to  *•">. 
Timber,  stumpage,  is  worth  50  cents  to  SI  per  tree  ;  at  the 
mills,  pine  and  poplar,  are  worth  $15  per  1,000.  Principal 
industries,  farming,  lumbering  and  stock  raising.  Principal 
exports:  Stock,  tobacco,  and  timber.  Market  for  stock,  Bal 
timore;  for  tobacco,  etc.,  Richmond  and  Cincinnati  ;  for  titu- 
bei,  eastern  cities.  Minerals.  Coal,  in  probably  workable 


RESOURCES  OF   WEST    VIRGINIA.  415 

seams;  sandstone,  for  building  purposes;  good  limestone,  for 
building  and  agricultural  purposes.  Alum,  Chalybeate  and 
Sulphur  Springs.  Manufactures  :  Hiuton  lumber  mills,  Burk's 
and  Clark's  lumber  mills,  3  or  more  flouring  mills,  1  tobacco 
factory,  producing  1,250  pounds,  etc.  Principal  streams  :  New 
and  Blue  Stone  rivers,  navigable  for  canoes.  Present  means  of 
transportation  :  Chesapeake  and  Ohio  railroad.  Contempla 
ted  improvements  :  Improvement  of  New  river,  Blue  Stone 
Mining  railroad,  and  New  River  railroad.  Public  schools,  28. 
Postoffices,  17.  Value  of  taxable  property,  $752,711.  County 
seat,  Hinton.  Newspaper,  Mountain  Herald,  weekly. 

TAYLOR  COUNTY 

The  surface  of  this  county  is  very  hilly,  many  o(  the  hills 
being  quite  high.  Laurel  Hill  range  passes  through  this 
county,  but  flattens  out  so  as  to  be  nothing  more  than  a  high 
range  of  hills.  The  land  is  mostly  quite  fertile,  and  most  of  it 
is  arable.  The  soils  are  sandy  loam,  calcareous,  and  clay  loams. 
On  the  hills  they  are  4  to  12  inches  ;  on  the  bottoms,  6  to  15 
inches  deep.  The  hills  are  about  as  productive  as  the  levels. 
The  crops  are  Corn,  Wheat,  Oats,  and  Grass.  Corn  pro 
duces  25  to  50  bushels ;  Wheat,  8  to  15  bushels  ;  Oats,  15  to  25 
bushels.  The  Taylor  County  Agricultural  and  Mechanical 
Society  holds  an  annual  Fair  at  Grafton,  and  distributes  about 
$3,000  in  premiums.  The  value  of  the  agricultural  land,  when 
improved,  is  $20  to  $60  ;  of  timber  land,  $12  to  $25.  For  the 
privilege  of  mining  the  7  foot  gas  coal  seam,  without  the  sur 
face  land,  average  price  $100  per  acre;  for  the  same  privilege 
for  the  5  foot  seam,  $20;  for  the  4  foot  seam,  $10,  etc.  Price  ol 
timber,  stumpage,  good  Oak  and  Poplar,  S4  per  tree ;  Walnut, 
$5;  other  trees,  $2;  at  the  mills,  $7  per  1,000.  Principal  in 
dustries  :  farming,  stock  raising,  and  lumbering.  Principal 
exports  :  horses,  cattle,  timber,  lumber,  cooperage  stuff,  and 
coal.  Markets  :  for  timber,  the  mills  in  the  county,  where  it 
is  manufactured  into  plank,  shook s,  etc.,  and  sent  east.  Some 
logs  sent  down  the  Monongahela  to  Pittsburgh.  For  stock, 
the  markets  are  eastern  cities  ;  for  grain  and  general  produce, 
the  villages  of  the  county.  Minerals  :  abundance  of  good  coal 
in  large  seams  ;  iron,  in  workable  quantities;  good  limestone, 
for  agricultural  and  building  purposes ;  excellent  sandstones, 
for  building  ;  good  fire  clay.  Mines  :  Coal — Tyrconnell  mines. 


RESOURCES   OF   WEST    VIRGINIA. 

Flemirigton  mines,  Clays ville  mine-?,  Pruntytown.  mines  ;  the 
latter  two  for  local  use.  Manufactures :  Webster  woolen  fac 
tory,  2  steam  furniture  mills  at  Grafton,  2  steam  furniture 
mills  at  Fetterman,  1  steam  excelsior  mattress  factory  at  Graf- 
ton,  where  there  are  also  1  foundry  and  machine  shop,  the 
Baltimore  and  Ohio  repair  shop?,  1  wood  pump  factory,  3  shook 
factories  2  steam  planing,  sash  and  door  factories,  1  cigar  fac 
tor}'-,  making  596,400  cigars  annually.  Besides  these  there  are 
in  the  county  12  steam  saw  mills,  6  steam  flouring  mills,  11 
water  grist  mills,  on  Tygart's  Valley  river,  and  its  tributaries; 
6  tanneries.  There  are  6  water  mills  in  Taylor  county,  on  the 
river,  within  a  distance  of  15  miles. 

The  principal  stream  is  Tygart's  Valley,  which  has,  at  Graf- 
ton,  a  large  boom.  It  is  capable  of  floating  rafts,  and  is  navi 
gable  for  batteaux  and  canoes  all  the  year.  Present  means  of 
transportation  ;  Baltimore  and  Ohio  railroad  (main  stern)  and 
Parkersburg  Branch,  Tygart's  Valley  river,  and  two  principal 
turnpike  roads.  In  contemplation  :  Slack  water  of  Tygart's 
Valley  river,  and  Buckhannon  Minernl  railroad.  Schools:  West 
Virginia  College  at  Flemingtori,  High  School  at  Grafton,  and  46 
public  schools.  Churches,  3.  Postofrices,  11.  Population,  9,367. 
Value  of  taxable  property,  $4,058,763.27.  County  seat,  Prunty- 
town,  with  a  population  ot  about  800.  Newspaper,  Grafton 
Sentinel,  weekly. 

TTJCKEK    COUNTY. 

Tucker  is  a  mountainous  county,  mostly  in  wild  land. 
There  is,  however,  a  good  deal  of  rolling  plateau  country,  and 
the  soil  is  very  fertile  in  many  places.  The  timber  is  very 
fine  in  amount,  size,  and  kinds.  The  soil  is  sandy  loam,  and 
clayey  loam  :  on  the  levels  3  to  12  inches  deep ;  on  the  hills  2  to 
6  inches.  Corn,  Oats,  Rye,  and  Buckwheat  are  the  crops.  Corn 
produces  20  to  30  bushels;  Oats,  20  to  25  bushels;  Rye,  8 
bushels,  on  the  hills  or  plateau.  On  the  levels  or  bottoms, 
Corn  produces  40  bushels  :  Rye  12  bushels  ;  Oats  25  to  30 
bushels;  Buckwheat,  on  levels,  30  bushels;  on  the  hills  35 
bushels.  Value  of  land  :  Agricultural,  £5  to  810  ;  Wild  Tim 
ber  lands  in  large  tracts.  SI  to  $5.  Value  of  Timber,  stump- 
age,  81  per  tree:  at  the  mills,  £6,25  to  $10  per  1,000.  Prin 
cipal  industry:  Farming.  Principal  exports:  but  little  is 
exported  from  the  county.  A  few  Cattle  and  some  Forest  Pro- 


RESOURCES   OF    WEST    VIRGINIA. 


41? 


ducts,  Ginseng,  &c.,  are  sent  out,  and  some  little  Lumber.  The 
markets  are  along  the  Bait.  &  Ohio  R.  R.  and  in  eastern  cities. 
Minerals  .  Good  Limestone  for  building  and  agricultural  pur 
poses,  and  sandstone  for  building.  There  are  some  Saw  and 
Grist  Mills  in  the  county.  Principal  stream,  Cheat  river. 
Public  Schools,  18;  Churches,  9;  Postoffices.  9.  Population, 
1,917.  Value  of  taxable  property,  8377,111  24.  County  seat, 
Saint  George. 

TYLER    COUNTY. 

The  surface  of  the  county,  back  from  the  river  and  creeks 
is  hilly  ;  however  the  hills  are  not  rough,  but  are  arable  and 
fertile.  There  is  a  large  amount  of  fine  bottom  land  along  the 
Ohio  river,  and  Middle  Island  and  other  creeks.  The  soil  is 
sandy  loam,  loam,  and  clayey  loam,  or  clay,  usually  deep  and 
mellow.  On  the  levels  it  is  from  one  to  many  feet  deep ;  on 
the  hills  8  to  12  inches.  Crops  are,  Corn,  Wheat,  Oats,  Tobacco, 
and  Grass.  On  the  bottoms,  Corn  yields  50  to  65  bushels; 
Wheat,  10  to  12  bushels  ;  Oats,  30  to  40  bushels ;  on  the  hills, 
Corn  brings  35  to  40  bushels ;  Wheat,  8  to  10  bushels ;  Oats,  25 
to  30  bushels  ;  Tobacco,  800  to  1,000  pounds.  Value  of  land : 
Agricultural  bottom  lands,  840  to  6100;  Upland,  820  to  $30 ; 
Timber  land,  810  to  820.  Value  of  timber,  sturnpage,  3  to  4 
cents  per  cubic  foot ;  at  the  mills.  5  to  10  cents  per  cubic  foot. 
Principal  industries  :  Farming,  Stock  raising,  and  Lumbering. 
Principal  exports  :  Tobacco,  Grain,  Stock,  Sawed  Lumber,  and 
Cooperage  Stuff.  Markets  for  timber,  points  on  the  Ohio 
river;  for  Tobacco,  Cincinnati ;  for  Stock,  Baltimore  and  Phil 
adelphia.  Minerals:  Small  Coal  seams  above  water  level; 
some  Iron  and  Limestone,  and  good  Sandstone  for  building. 
Manufactures  :  Two  Woolen  Mills,  and  several  Saw  and  Grist 
Mills,  not  definitely  reported.  The  principal  streams  are  the 
Ohio  river  and  Midclle  Island  creek  ;  the  latter  is  navigable  for 
rafts  and  flat  boats  on  full  water.  Present  means  of  transpor 
tation  :  The  Ohio  river  and  Bait.  &  Ohio  R.  R.  Improvements 
contemplated  :  The  improvement  of  the  navigation  of  Middle 
Island  creek,  The  Pittsburgh,  Wheeling  <fc  Kentucky  R.  R. 
Public  schools,  67;  Churches,  22;  Postoffices,  15.  Population, 
7,832.  Value  of  taxable  property,  81,838,126.  County  seat, 
Middlebourne,  with  a,  population  of  about  500  inhabitants. 

53 


RESOURCES   OF   WEST    VIRGINIA. 
TJPSHUR  COUNTY. 

This  county  has  a  very  diversified  surface ;  a  portion  is  rough ; 
most  of  it  hilly,  with  a  good  deal  of  undulating  and  table 
land.  The  soil  is  sandy,  clay,  and  loam  ;  depth  on  the  levels, 
8  to  10  inches  ;  on  the  hills,  4  to  6  inches.  Crops,  Corn, 
Wheat,  Oats,  and  Grass.  The  hills  produce  nearly  as  well  as 
the  levels.  Corn  yields  from  25  to  40  bushels  ;  Wheat,  5  to  15 ; 
Oats,  20  to  30.  Value  of  land:  agricultural,  §5  to  830;  timber 
land,  SI  to  $5.  Value  of  timber:  stumpage,  $1  per  tree ;  at  the 
river,  delivered  in  the  stream,  $1  to  $2  per  log  ;  sawed  at  the 
mills,  $5  to  37.50  per  1,000.  Principal  industries:  farming, 
stock  raising,  and  lumbering.  Principal  exports:  stock, 
tobacco,  lumber,  timber,  and  forest  products.  Cattle  go  to 
eastern  cities,  timber  to  Grafton.  Coal  in  workable  seams, 
some  iron,  good  sandstone  for  building.  Manufactures,  mills, 
ifcc.,  not  reported.  Principal  stream,  Buckhannon  river,  nav 
igable  for  canoes.  Present  means  of  transportation,  turnpike 
and  county  roads.  Improvements  contemplated:  Buckhannon 
Mineral  railroad,  Shenandoah  and  Ohio  railroad,  and  Washing 
ton  and  Ohio  railroad.  Schools,  &c.,  Buckhannon  Normal  Acad 
emy,  Frenchton  Academy,  Public  Schools,  58;  Churches,  31; 
Postoffices,  15.  Population,  8,023.  Value  of  taxable  property, 
$2,353,008.54.  County  seat,  Buckhannon.  Newspaper,  Buck 
hannon  Delta,  weekly. 

WAYNE   COUNTY. 

The  surface  of  this  county  is  hilly,  the  hills  being  compara 
tively  low  on  the  Ohio,  and  rising  higher  back  in  the  country. 
There  is  a  good  deal  of  fine  bottom  land  on  the  Ohio  river 
(the  bottoms  are  about  half  a  mile  wide),  and  on  the  other 
streams  and  creeks.  These  bottoms,  and  the  sloping  hills 
near  the  water-courses,  form  all  the  cleared  land,  most  of  the 
county  being  in  forest.  This  county  yields  .some  of  the  finest 
timber  in  the  State.  The  soil  is  mainly  loam,  very  deep  on  the 
levels,  and  lying  6  to  8  inches  thick  on  the  hills.  The  land 
is  usually  very  fertile,  and  produces  fine  Corn,  Wheat,  Oats, 
Tobacco  and  Grass.  Some  acres  of  Ohio  bottoms  have  pro 
duced  110  bushels  of  Corn.  The  yields  are,  on  the  bottoms,  of 
Corn,  50  to  70  bushels ;  Wheat,  10  to  15;  Oats,  25  to  40;  on 
the  hills,  Corn,  30  to  50  bushels  ;  Oats,  20  to  30;  Wheat,  8  to 
10.  Value  of  Ohio  bottoms,  $80  to  $100;  other  bottom  land, 


RESOURCES   OF    WEST     VIRGINIA.  419 

$10  to  $20  ;  hill  mineral,  and  timber  land,  $5  to  $10  per  acre. 
Value  of  timber,  stumpage,  $1  per  tree  ;  at  the  mills,  8  to  10 
cents  per  cubic  foot.  Principal  industries,  farming  and  lum 
bering.  Principal  exports,  grain,  young  cattle,  tobacco,  tim 
ber.  The  markets  for  all  are  down  the  Ohio,  except  for  the 
young  cattle,  which  are  sold  to  inland  counties.  Minerals  : 
Wayne  has  abundant  supplies  of  the  finest  splint,  cannel,  and 
common  bituminous  coal,  in  large  seams  above  water  level  ; 
iron  ore  in  workable  quantities;  fine  potters'  clay  and  good 
sandstone  for  building  ;  yellow  ochre;  salt  water  is  found  at 
Warfield,  Kentucky,  just  beyond  the  south  corner  of  the 
county  ;  250  bushels  of  salt  per  day  are  made.  Manufactures, 
At  Ceredo,  two  extensive  saw  and  planing  mills;  steam 
saw  and  grist  mills  at  Cassville,  Trout  Hill,  and  other 
points,  along  Sandy  and  Twelve-Pole  rivers.  The  principal 
streams  are  the  Ohio.  Big  Sandy  and  Tug  Fork.  The  two 
latter  are  navigable  for  from  5  to  10  months  of  the  year,  by 
steamers  and  heavy  barges.  Rafts  are  floated  down  Twelve- 
Pole,  in  freshets.  Present  means  of  transportation,  Ohio 
river  and  Big  Sandy.  Improvements  contemplated  :  Improve 
ment  of  the  navigation  of  the  Big  Sandy,  and  of  Twelve- 
Pole,  the  Northern  and  Southern  West  Virginia  railroad, 
Ohio  River  and  Wayne  County  Mineral  railroad,  Pittsburgh, 
Wheeling  and  Kentucky  railroad,  and  Tug  River  railroad. 
Public  Schools.  66;  Churches,  10;  Postoffices,  18.  Population, 
7,832.  Value  of  taxable  property,  $1,965,714.46.  County 
seat,  Wayne  C.  H.  Newspaper,  Wayne  Advocate,  weekly. 

WEBSTER  COUNTY. 

The  southern  portion  of  this  county,  next  to  Nicholas,  is 
rolling  and  hilly  plateau  land,  which  is  also  the  character  of 
the  northern  part.  The  central  and  eastern  portions,  making 
up  a  large  part  of  the  county,  are  exceedingly  rocky  and 
rough,  with  very  high  mountains.  Much  of  this  land  is  too 
rough  for  cultivation,  the  soil  being  also  thin  and  obstructed 
with  stones.  In  our  remarks,  we  will  deal  only  with  the 
arable  plateau  lands.  The  soil  is  sandy  and  loam,  from  4  to 
6  inches  deep  on  the  hills,  and  on  the  levels  8  to  12  inches. 
The  crops  are  Corn,  Wheat,  Oats,  Rye  and  Grass.  The  yields 
on  the  levels  and  hills  are  about  the  same;  Corn  25  to  35  bush 
els;  Wheat  8  to  10;  Oats  25.  Value  of  farming  land,  S2  to  $5; 


420  RESOURCES   OP   WEST   VIRGINIA. 

wild  lands  in  large  tracts  sell  for  25  cents  to  SI  per  acre,  Value 
of  timber  not  reported,  but  tfhere  is  no  sale  for  it,  and  it  is  used 
only  for  home  consumption.  The  principal  industry  is  farm 
ing  and  stock  raising.  Principal  exports:  Cattle  and  Sheep, 
which  find  their  way  through  intermediate  points  to  the  east 
ern  cities.  Minerals:  thin  Coal  seams  in  the  hills;  Limestone 
for  agricultural  and  building  purposes;  excellent  Sandstone. 
Most  of  the  county  is  covered  with  heavy  forests,  and  is 
very  inaccessible.  The  only  means  of  transportation  is  by  dirt 
road-?.  The  principal  stream  is  Elk  river,  by  which  some  logs 
are  floated  out  from  the  western  part  of  the  county.  Contem 
plated  improvements:  the  West  Virginia  Central  railroad,  the 
West  Virginia  railroad,  and  the  Gauley  River  railroad.  Pub 
lic  Schools  10;  Churches,  3;  Postoffices,  7;  Population,  1,730: 
value  of  taxable  property,  $543,19239;  County  Seat,  Web 
ster  C.  H. 

WETZEL  COUNTY. 

Wetzel  county  has  a  good  deal  of  fine  bottom  land  along  the 
Ohio  river  and  Fishing  creek,  which  resembles  the  usual  bot 
toms  along  this  river  and  its  affluent  creeks,  being  noted  for 
fertility.  Most  of  the  county  is  occupied  by  hills  with  nar 
row  valleys.  The  hills  along  the  Ohio  are  quite  high,  and 
rise  to  a  very  considerable  height  towards  the  western  side  of 
the  county,  where  they  have  narrow  backs  and  steep  slopes. 
Though  so  hilly,  the  land  is  not  rocky  or  rough  usually,  but 
has  a  fine  depth  of  fertile  soil.  However,  the  slopes  of  the 
hillsides  are  too  steep  to  render  frequent  ploughing  advisable. 
The  soil  is  a  loam,  or  sandy  loam.  The  depth  on  the  hills  is 
6  to  10  inches,  and  on  the  levels  from  one  foot  to  many.  The 
crops  are  Corn,  Oats,  Wheat,  and  Potatoes.  The  hills  produce 
as  well  as  the  upland  levels.  The  yields  are,  Corn,  40  to  50 
bushels  ;  Oats,  30  to  40 ,  Wheat,  10  to  12  ;  Potatoes,  100  to 
150.  The  value  of  the  Ohio  bottoms,  as  usual,  is  from  $75  to 
$100;  other  arable  lands,  $10  to  $25;  timber  land,  $10  to  $12. 
The  timber  has  a  higher  value,  according  to  its  proximity  to 
the  Ohio  river  and  the  railroad.  Value,  stumpage,  is  $1  to 
$2.50  per  tree  ;  at  the  mills,  $10  to  $12  per  1,000.  Principal 
industries,  farming,  stock-raising,  and  lumbering.  Principal 
exports,  stock,  timber  and  lumber.  Markets  for  stock  and 
farm  produce.  Baltimore  and  Wheeling ;  for  timber,  <fcc.,  Bal- 


RESOURCES   OF   WEST   VIRGINIA.  421 

tiraore;  Wheeling,  and  other  points  on  the  Ohio.  Minerals, 
coal  in  workable  seams  above  water  level ;  good  sandstone 
for  building;  some  limestone  for  agricultural  and  building 
purposes.  Manufactures,  3  woolen  mills,  and  various  saw 
mills,  not  reported  definitely.  The  principal  streams  are  the 
Ohio  river  and  Fishing  creek.  Fishing  creek  is  navigable  for 
rafts  and  flat  boats  in  high  water.  Present  means  of  trans 
portation:  Baltimore  and  Ohio  railroad  and  Ohio  river.  In  con 
templation:  Narrow  Gauge  road  from  New  Martinsville  to  the 
Forks  of  Fishing  creek,  improvement  of  the  navigation  of 
Fishing  creek,  and  the  Pittsburgh,  Wheeling  and  Kentucky 
railroad.  Public  Schools,  61;  Churches,  12 ;  Postoffices,  14. 
Population,  8,595.  Value  of  taxable  property,  81,633,764.43. 
County  seat,  New  Martinsville.  Newspaper,  Labor  Vindicator, 
weekly. 

WIRT  COUNTY. 

This  county  is  hilly,  and  in  some  parts  rough.  It  has  good 
bottom  lands  on  the  rivers  and  creeks.  The  soils  are  clay,  or 
clay  loam,  18  inches  deep  on  the  level  lands,  and  averaging 
8  inches  on  the  hills,  being  deepest  and  best  on  the  north 
sides.  The  crops  adapted  to  the  soils  are,  Corn,  Wheat,  Oats, 
Potatoes,  and  Tobacco.  The  yields  are,  on  the  bottoms,  Corn, 
80  to  40:  Wheat,  15  to  20;  Oats,  25  to  30;  Potatoes,  100  to 
150  bushels ;  Tobacco,  1,000  to  1,200  pounds ;  on  the  hills, 
Corn,  30  to  35;  Wheat,  10  to  15;  Potatoes,  100;  Tobacco, 
1 ,2CO  to  1,500  pounds.  No  manures  are  used  for  these  crops. 
Value  of  improved  agricultural  land,  from  810  to  8100  per 
acre;  of  oil  land,  8100  to  81,000;  of  timber  laud,  $2.50  to  825. 
Principal  industries:  farming,  grazing,  oil-raising,  and  lum 
bering.  Principal  exports:  lumber,  hoop-poles,  tan-bark, 
petroleum,  and  stock.  The  general  markets  for  timber  are 
Parkersburg  and  points  on  the  Ohio  river.  Value  of  the  tim 
ber,  stumpage,  is  81  per  tree,  and  8  to  12  cents  per  cubic  foot 
at  the  mills.  The  principal  minerals  are,  limestone  for 
building  and  agricultural  purposes,  sandstone  for  building, 
whetstone,  potters'  clay,  and  oil ;  coal  is  above  water  level  in 
small  seams.  Manufactures  are,  one  woolen  factory  at  Eliza 
beth,  six  steam  lumber  mills,  one  flouring  mill  at  Elizabeth, 
and  two  on  Hughes'  river,  as  well  as  various  grist  mills. 
Means  of  transportation:  steamers  on  the  Little  Kanawha, 


422  RESOURCES  OF  WEST  VIRGINIA. 

and  county  roads.  Contemplated  improvements:  the  further 
improvement  of  the  Little  Kanawha.  Public  Schools,  43; 
Postoftiees,  6  ;  Churches,  8.  Population,  4,804.  Value  of 
taxable  property,  $1,035,708.00.  County  beat,  Elizabeth.  News 
paper,  the  Wiri  County  Mentor,  weekly,  published  at  Elizabeth. 

WOOD  COUNTY. 

The  general  surface  of  Wood  county  is  hilly,  with   some 
quite  high  hills  and  rough  land-    There  are  extensive  flats  on 
the  Ohio  and  Little  Kanawha,  and  the  hills  near  these  streams 
arc  comparatively  low  and  smooth.     About  one -third  of  the 
county   is  cleared.     It  has  fine  timber  in  the  southern  part, 
where  the  soil  is  calcareous.       The  soil  is  loam,  sandy,  clayey 
and  calcareous  in  different  portions  of  the  county.     The  best 
upland  soil  is  in   the  south,   where  limestone  is  displayed 
among  the  strata.     The  crops  are  Corn,  Wheat,  Oats,  Tobacco 
and  Grass.     On  the  ordinary  uplands  Corn  produces  20  to  25 
bushels:   Wheat,  6  to  8  bushels:  Oats,   15  to  20  bushels;  on 
the  bottoms  Corn  produces  40  to  80  bushels ;  Wheat,  12  to  15 
bushels  ;  Oats,  20  to  30  bushels.     Soil  on  the  hills  often  thin, 
from  1  to  4  inches;   on  the  bottoms,  one  foot  to  many.     An 
annual  Fair  is  held  at  Parkersburg,  where  about  $6,000  are 
distributed  in  premiums.    Value  of  Ohio  bottoms.  $60  to  $100, 
other  bottoms,  $20  to  $50 ;  hill  land  from  $1  to  $15,  according 
to   the  character   of  the   soil;  timber  land  from  $2  to  £15. 
Value  of  timber,  not  reported.      Principal  industries:  farm 
ing,  stock  raising,  manufacturing,  oil  raising,  and   lumber 
ing.     Principal  exports  :  Oils  of  various  kinds,  manufactured 
articles,  lumber,  stock,  and  grain.     Markets  for  stock  and  farm 
produce,  eastern  cities;  for  oils,  eae-t  and   west;    for  timber, 
Parkersburg,  and  points  on  the  Ohio.      Minerals:  small   coal 
scams;  petroleum,  pumped   from    over   200  wells;  good  pipe 
and  potters'  clay;  good  sandstone,  for  building:  limestone,  in  the 
southern  part,    good  for  agricultural  and  building  purposes; 
mineral  water  (magnesium).     Manufactures,  etc.:  2  breweries, 
producing  2,206  barrels  ;  4  tobacco  factories,  producing  44,918 
pounds;   --  cigar  factories,   producing   831,000  cigars:  6   oil 
refineries  at  Parker.sburg  and  one  at  Volcano:  one  pottery:  Balti 
more  and  Ohio  railroad  machine  shops  at  Parkersburg:  one  large 
cooper  shop  and  several  smaller  ones  at  Parkersburg  and  Belle 
ville;  brick  works  at  Parkersburg;  besides  numerous  flour,  saw 


RESOURCES  OF  WEST  VIRGINIA.  423 

and  planing  mills  and  tanneries  at  Parkersburg,  Rockport, 
Wadeville,  and  other  points.  This  list  is  not  complete,  as  we 
have  very  imperfect  reports  of  the  manufactories.  The  prin 
cipal  streams  are  the  Ohio  river  and  Little  Kanawha,  both 
navigable  the  year  round  for  steamers  and  barges.  Present 
means  of  transportation :  these  streams  and  the  Baltimore 
and  Ohio  railroad.  Contemplated  :  Pittsburgh,  Wheeling  and 
Kentucky  railroad.  Puhlic  institutions,  United  States  Cus 
tom  House.  Public  schools,  99,  Churches,  49.  Postomces, 
23.  Population,  19,000.  Value  of  taxable  property,  $6,959,- 
263.  County  seat,  Parkersburg,  a  thriving  town  of  about 
8,000  inhabitants.  Newspapers:  Daily  and  Weekly  Times,  State 
Journal,  Sentinel,  Inquirer,  (last  three  weekly),  and  the  \\re*t 
Virginia  Educational  Monthly. 

WYOMING  COUNTY. 

This  county  has  a  good  deal  of  rough,  broken  land,  Its 
surface  is  hilly,  the  hills  rising  into  high  mountains.  Nearly 
all  of  the  land  is  in  the  original  forest.  The  climate  is  quite 
mild.  The  soil  is  a  loam,' or  sandy  loam,  very  deep  and  rich 
on  the  bottoms.  There  is  a  good  deal  of  wide  bottoms  near 
the  Court  House,  where  the  land  is  very  productive.  The  soil 
on  the  hills,  is  from  4  to  6  inches  deep,  and  very  fertile.  There 
is  very  little  cultivation  carried  on  in  the  county  generally. 
The  crops  are  Corn,  Wheat,  Rye,  Oats,  Buckwheat,  Tobacco, 
and  Grass.  The  hills  and  bottoms  yield  about  alike.  Corn 
produces  30  to  50  bushels  ;  Wheat,  10  to  15  ;  Buckwheat,  25  to 
30;  Oats,  25  to  30.  Principal  industries:  stock  raising  and 
lumbering.  Principal  exports  :  stock,  timber,  ginseng,  and 
skins  of  wild  animals.  Mai  kets  :  animals  are  driven  eastward, 
timber  is  rafted  down  to  points  on  the  Ohio,  other  produce  is 
transported  to  the  Chesapeake  and  Ohio  railroad.  Corn  is  im 
ported  into  this  county  from  Ohio  at  SI  per  bushel  (January, 
1876).  Minerals  :  Coal  is  in  fine  workable  seams  ;  fine  build 
ing  stone  (sandstone).  Principal  stream,  Guyandotte  river;  it 
will  float  logs  in  high  water.  Present  means  of  transporta 
tion  :  rough  county  roads.  Public  schools,  29.  Churches,  2. 
Postofhces,  10.  Population,  2,861.  Taxable  property,  $955,- 
377.63.  County  seat,  Oceana. 


FINIS. 


INDEX. 


A  GRICULTURE,  causes  prevent 

jL\.    ing  development  of. 62 

Alluviuwi,  streams  and  uplands 50 

ALTITUDES— 

On  B.  &  O.  R.  R 19 

of    different   belts    of  country 

parallel  to  the    Ohio 17 

On   east    border    of,   Jefferson 

county 21 

On  Greenbrier  River 17 

On  Kanawha  River 17 

Miscellaneous,  in  W.  Virginia..    21 

On  New  River 17 

On  Ohio  River „..    17 

On  W.&  O.  R.  R 18 

ANALYSES— 

Abram's  Creek  Coal 171 

Austin  Coal 224 

Black  Band— Gauley. 249 

Black  Band,  in  Kanawha 249 

Black  Band,  in  Wayne 249 

Brantzburg  coal 170 

Briar  Hill  coal 233 

Cannel  coal , 241 

Clyde  splint 233 

Coal  frorn    Pittsburgh  seam   in 

West  Virginia 221 

Coal  Valley  coal 22f» 

Fire  clay 317 

Grant  county  iron  ores 270 

Greenbrier  iron  ores 265 

Hampshire  iron  ores 272 

Hardy  iron  ores 269 

Hawk's  Nest  coal 226 

Hydraulic  limestone 314 

Indiana  splint 233 

Kanawha  coals,  for  gas 224 

Kanawha  iron  ores 249-261 

Limestones 312 

Manganiferous  iron  ores 262 

Mineral  county  iron  ores 251 

Monongalia  county  iron  ores 25"i 

New  river  coals     226 

Pendleton  county  iron  ores 267 

Pittsburgh  coal.. 233 

Pittsburgh  coal  in  W.  Va 221 

Preston  iron  ores 252 

Raleigh  iron  ores 263 

Redstone  coal 217 

Sewickley  coal 217 

Splint  coal 233 

Taylor  iron  ores 258 

Tumielton  coal 223 

Wayne  county  coals 228 

Wraynesburg  coal 217 

Wilson  iron  ore 262 

Winifrede  coal 225 

Yorkshire  coal 233 

Anticlinal  axes,  how  formed 188 

54 


!  Appalachian    coal     field,    area   in 

different  States 162 

1  Appalachian  coal  field,  production 

of.  coal  inl870 162 

!  Apples,  cultivation,  <frc.,  of 82 

;  Ash,  Black,  character  and  uses 112 

Ash,   Blue    and    Green,    character 

;uid  uses  113 

!  Ash,     Mountain,     character     and 

uses lit 

Ash,  White,  character  and  uses Ill 

>  Aspen,  character  and  uses 1M 

Austen  Coal  Company 175 


T3  ARBOUR  COUNTY,  general  de- 

O    scription  of  364 

Barbour  county,  quality  of  coal  hi..  22;? 

Barley,  yields  of 71 

Barytes 320 

Baltimore  &  Ohio  R,  R 337 

Beech,  character  and  uses. 114 

Beech,  Water,  character  and  uses...  114 

Berkeley  county,  coal  in  213 

Berkeley  county,  general  descrip 
tion  of. 365 

Berkeley  county  Springs 324 

Bethany  College 359 

B'g  Bewell,  coal  in 193 

Birch,   Red  and    Black,  chaiacter 

and  uses 115 

Bituminous  coal 216 

Black  Band  iron  ore 248 

Blast  furnaces,  destruction  of  for 
ests  for 244 

Bloomery  Iron  Wrorks 271 

Blue  Stone  Mining:  R.  R 33S 

Blue  Sulphur  Springs 333 

Board  of  Education 348 

Booiie  county,  general  description 

of 36« 

Braxtoii  county,    general  descrip 
tion  of 367 

Brines,  strength  of. 274 

Bromine 296 

Brooke    county,    general    descrip 
tion  of 368 

Buckeye,  Sweet  and  Fetid,    char 
acter  and  uses  of. 115 

Buckhannoii  Mineral  R.  R 333 

Buckwheat,  cultivation,  yields,  &c      71 

Building  fund,  how  raised 349 

Building  stones 315 

Butter     and     cheese     production, 

character  of ,.    79 


CABELL   roi'NTY,    general  de 
scription  of ...  :>i;y 


426 


INDEX. 


Calhouii    couiitv,    general    descrip 
tion  of. " 370 

Canneltoii  cannel,  yields  ot  oil 240 

Cannelton,  coal  .scams  at 198 

CANNEL— 

As  a  gas  producer '^11 

Irregularity  ot... 238 

Monongalia    county -  239 


Cotton  wood,  cliaracter  and  uses 117 

County    Superintendent    of    Free 

Schools 350 

(Cranberry  river,  coal  on 193 

Crops,  miscellaneous 78 

Crops,  rotation  of 65 

Cucumber    Tree,     character    and 

uses 117 


on  Prickett's  creek 240    Cumberland  .Moorefield   &  Broad - 


Randolph  county. 

Shale  similitude  to  cannel 


239 
2412 


way  R.  R.. 


Shale,  yield  of  oil 241 

In  Taylor  county.. 240 

Thickest   seams  in  \\Vst  V a 239 

On  White  Day  creek 240 

Canon  features 3 

Canons,  production  of. 13 

Capon  Springs 326 

Capon  Iron  works 26S 

Carbonate  of  Iron,  occurrence  ol...  250 
Carboniferous  strata,  character  and 

soil    of 60 

CATTLE— 

Best  improved  t 93 

Exports  of  and  markets  for 95 

(ieneral  remarks  on !».> 

Kinds  of »••! 

Management  of 92 

Management     of,      in      South 

Branch   District 97 

Cedar,  character  and  uses 

character  of  timber  in  genei'al 144 

Cheese 79 

Cherry  river,  coal  on 193 

Cherry,  Wild,  character  and  uses...  116  ; 

Chesapeake  <&  Ohio  Canal 343  ; 

Chesapeake  A:  Ohio  R.  R 337  , 

Chestnut,  character  and  uses 116  | 

Clay  county, 'general  description  ol  371  | 
Climate,    general  causes    controll 
ing 21 

Climate  of  Oh'.o  River  Valley 23  ; 

Climate,  suitableness  of  for  sheep...  104 

Climatic  division  of  State 23 

Climatic    records  for  Marietta 33  | 

Clinton,    position,    character,   und 

soil    of 55 

Clover,  Red  and  White 98 

COAL— 

Market  quotations  ol 245 

Ash,  plioshorus  in 235 

Consumption  on  A.  M.  &  O.  en 
gines  2:17 

Consumption    on    B.    &   O.    en 
gines 2-J2 

Consumption    on  C.  it    O.   en 
gines  l"-'!7 

Consumption     on    Kv.   c.   en 
gines ; 

Increase  ol  markets  for 243  .  TTVMR    T)\YS,  average  number.,. 

242      P 


DECKER'S  CREEK,  coal  on- 178 
Depth  ot  salt    wells 287 

i  DEVELOPMENTS  OF  TIMBER— 

On  B  &  O.  R,  R 155 

On   Big  Sandy 160 

In  centre  and  western  portion 

of  State 153 

On  Great  Kanawha 160 

On  Qreenbrier  river 151 

on  Little  Kanawha 159 

On  Ohio  river 159 

!  Difficult  creclc,  coal  on 173 

i  Dimmock,  coal  at 194 

Dip  in  Kanawha  Valley* 202 

Dip  between  Quinnimont  and  Sew- 

ell -. 195 

Dip  between   Sewell  and  Hawk's 

Nest 196 

115  I  Doddridge  county,  general  descrip 
tion  of 372 

Doddridge  Music  and  Art  School...  360 
Dogwood,  character,  uses,  Arc 117 


T7>DUCATION  ...................................  *4~ 

JLlJ    Educational  Monthly.  ..............  362 

Flder,  Box,  character  and  uses  ........  118 

ELEVATIONS— 

At  Cannelton  ...............................  19* 

opposite  Coalburg  ......................  200 

At  Hawk's  Nest..  .........  :  ..............  l'.K> 

On    Paint  Creek  ...........................  19U 

QuinnimoiU  seam 
At  Sewell 

Elk  river,  coal  on  head   ot 
Elk  river,  improvement    of 
K!k   River  Iron  and  C  >al  Company 
Kim,  Slippery,  character  and  uses..  118 
'Kim,  Waboo,  character  and  uses...     20 
Kim,  White,  character  and  uses  .....  119 

Erosion,    effects  of  in  central  and 
and  southern   portions  of  the 
State  ..........................................     11 

Krosion,  e  fleets  of  in  mountain  re- 

~  ............................     9 


192 
195 
193 
345 

5S 


Markets  for 

Relation   of  Virginia    iron  ores 

to : 214 

Measures, geographical  division 

of 168 

Measures,    geological    division 

of 167 

Coal  River  R.  R MS 

Coffee  Tree,  character  and  uses 117 

Colored  Schools  of  the  State :*5S 

Colored  Schoojsof  Wheeling 361 

Commercial  Schools 360 

Concord  Normal  School 357 

Consumption    of     salt      in     I'niled 

States 296 


Copper 

Corn,  cultivation  and  yield  ot 

Cotton 


321 

60 


Fair  days,  yearly  number 47 

Fairmont  Normal  School 356 

Farm  produce,  statistics  of 88 

Farm    products,    general    remarks 

on 62 

Farming,  calendar 31 

Fayette    county,  general   descrip 
tion  of. 373 

Fir,  Ulack   and    Balsam,  character 

and  uses : 120 

Fireclay 316 

Fishing  creek,  improvement   of 346 

Fleeces,  weight   of 104 

Fleming   College.  359 

Formations      mainly     influencing 

topography 4 

Free  schools 347 

Frost,  latest  and  earliest 46 


INDEX.  427 

Fruit  culture 81  j  IROX  ORE — 

Fruit,  inuill 83  |  In  Monongalia ,254 

In  Monroe 264 

111  Morgan  'V 

GARDEN  PRODUCTS S4  In  Peiidlet*ri "  :>tr> 

Gas  wells  in  Kan  awn  a 2S^  InPocahontas"  "  ""  "«;5 

Gauley  river,  coal  on  head   of 193;         In  Preston  '"  '>."•> 

Gauley  river,  improvement  of. 345  ;         in  Raleigh  "  Vis* 

Gauley  River  R.  R 339  ;         In  Taylor    "  ""  ">57 

Geography  of  West  Va 362  1         jn  Vallev  of  "Virginia: r>43 

Gilmer   county,     general    descrip-  m  Wayne  ''4fi'  9tf] 

tion  of..-    :;7!  In  West  Virginia.::  '  ~M7 

M  Iron  Valley^-  Pa.  R.  R .' "'.  339 

Glass  sand        31  H  Iron-wood,  character 'and  uses    •         123 

Glenville  Normal  School 35<>  : 

Gold  S22 

Grant  county,  general  description            TACKS*  )N  COUNTY,  ^eiieral    de- 
of •••- • 374     ,]     serintion  of 


scription  of 381 

Jefferson  count v,  general  descrip- 

382 


Grapes,    cultivation,   &c.. 

Grasses 91) 

Grassy  r'in.  coal  on 184 

Grazing  counties 95 

Grazing  farms-formation  of moun-         i  T7-ANAW1TA    COUNTY,   -eneral 

f*JP ,-•• •••    94     JV     description  of  383 

Great    Conglomerate,    charac-teris-  roa]    lield....  '."  W7 

t'('s; l(ii  Amount  of  coal  in  ?01 

Greenbrier     county,    general    de-  Pal t,  chronological "tabie:/.:    I  304 

scnption  of     875  S;iM,  discoverv   of  278 

Greenbrier  county,  coal  m 213  Salt  Furnaces  ""  303 

SlunnXrin™'-  im'™v<  '"-nt*  of  343  ;  ^,,,  f>Pn^,H, •  p^^rtiw'oCr  m 

gSiS^tfnTSweSiV^-rS^813  SlVt.'SS.^^i ?S 

<**££S?6:&~          ::::::.  m  KPttlp  ibrn< •..-~-^r:rr:» 

Guyandotte  *  Ohio  River  R.  R         389 

Guyandotte  river  improvement 345     -p  AX  , ,,  ,;in,)r0ve,l  acreage  of..  88 

LJ     Lead... .",21 

TTAC'KBERHY,    character    and    t              of^^.^^^t^^sgft 
Haniilf(m;'prsViioiV;'chaV-ai.t;-;:  and   •    '  \  L]mVstone,"cV>Vn'mon::: 310 

ian^^^l^j^  --- :  is^'^r^^^S 58 

•on  01 3T3  tion  of  I^^R 

H»in.-or.k  county,  genera]   deserip-      g     Linden,  character  and: us^::V.:.:::;: 'S 
Hardv  coukty^n^ral  deVcription  ^  '  |  J^'ffiSSMi^  Jg 

Hardy  White  Sulphur  SpriVu^: ^     LO^""  on'of^'  fff>n°ml   (1eSCriPtion  ,o- 

Hr.rrison  county,  general   descrip-          |  Lowe,' Barrens  on'tne  Kanawha ^02 

1^^^,^  |  j  -^HS~I^^:  ;; 

uses 121 

Hickory,  character  and  uses..  121 

Hillary  Coal  Bank 1x5 

Holly,  character  and   uses .'..'  "  122 

Hominy  river,  coal  on 193 

Honey,  causes  favoring  production    80 
Hydraulic  limestone 313 

TRONOREin  Barbonr 258 

J      In  Berkeley 272 

In  Braxton  and   Clay '.'. 258 

In  Grant '. 251,  2'!9 

In  Greenbrier 265 

In  Hampshire '.'.".'         .'.  271 


In  Hardy 

fn  Jackson „  "  '  203 

ln; Jefferson ........:..  273 

In  Kanawha 9.4Q  9«n 

In  Lower  Barren.' 


er  county  and  Rich  Mountain"182 
Lower  Helderherg,  position,  char-" 

acter  and  soils 55 

McCQRKLE  S.C.,  Topographical 
Report  of 20 

!  McDowell  county,  general  descrip 
tion  of 392 

McDowell  county,  c.oalin, 193 

Magnesia  Springs 334 

Magnetic  declinations 22 

Mahonina  sandstone  in  Monongalia  181 

Manganese 320 

Maple,  Red.  character  and  uses 128 

Maple, Silver,  character  and  uses...  127 
Maple,  Sugar,  character- and  uses...  125 

Maries 314 

Marion  county,  description  at.""'.'".  388 


In  Mercer  %£    Marion  county,  quality  coal  in 218 

In  Mineril  ""  4ci   i  -^arshall  county,  general  descrip- 

""•ff «o*  I  tion  of ...  390 


428 


INDEX. 


Marshall  College , 356 

Marshes  of  Coal  river,  formation  of    14 

Martinsburg  &  Potomac  R.  R 338 

Mason  county,  general  description 

of .' 391 

Mason  county, quality  coal  in 219 

.Meadows  of  Meadow  river,  forma 
tion  of. 14 

Medical  Student. 3(W 

Medicinal  plants 138 

Medina  sandstone,   position,  char 
acter  and  soils  ol 54 

Mercer  county,  general  description 

of 393 

Mercer  county,  coal  in 189 

Merino— origin  of 100 

Middle  Island  creek,  improvement 

of 34G 

Mineral  county,    general  descrip 
tion  of 394 

Mineral  county,  quality  coal  in 217 

Mineral  Springs— production  of 57 

Mineral  Waters 323 

Mining  advantages  in  W.  Va 215 

Monorigalia   county,     general    de 
scription  of 395 

Monongalia  county,  quality  coal  in  218 
Monorigahela  river,  improvement 

01 343 

Monroe  couiitv,  general  description 

of 396 

Morgan    county,    general  descrip 
tion  of 396 

Morgautown  Female  Seminary 360 

Morgantown,  climatic  records  of....    29 

Mount  de  Chantal 3(ii) 

Mud  River  R.  R 339 

Mulberry,  Red,  character  and  uses  129 

NAVIGATION  Big  Coal  river 343 
Big  Handy 343 

Great  Kanawha 312 

Little  Kanawha 342 

Monongahela ;  343 

Ohio 34 1 

Newburg  Coal  Company 176 

New  oil  territory .*. 300 

New  river  coals  189 

New  river  coal  basin,  how  formed.,  is? 
New  river  coal  basin,    regularity  Ol 

strata  in  189 

New  river  coal  basin,  thickness  of 

coal  measures  in 188 

New  river,  improvement  of 344 

New  River    Mining  and  Manufac 
turing  Company.... 339 

Nicholas  county,  general  descrip- 
.        lion  of..- -'597 

NOKMAL,  SC J  1001,8 353 

Discipline 3o5 

How  controlled 353 

Rates  of  tuition 355 

Regulations  of -~>i 

Subjects  taught 355 

North  Branch  Potomac,   improve 
ment  ol 

North  Branch  R.  R 

Northern  A-  Southern  \V .  Ya.   R.  R.. 


O 


A  K— Character  and  uses  of. 

black 132 

Black  Jack 131 

Bur KM) 

Chestnut 130 

Laurel 131 

!>in  132 

Post,...  ...  130 


OAK— 

Red 131 

Scarlet 131 

Spanish 13L 

Swamp  White 131 

White     .         .  129 

Willow "'.'.'.  131 

Oats,  yields,  &c 70 

Ochre 320 

Ohio -county,  general  description  of  398 

Ohio  county,  quality  coal  in 219 

Ohio  River  &  Wayne  Mineral  R.  R.  340 

Oil  break 305 

Oil  in  salt  wells 288 

Oil  tanks 308 

Old  Greasy 2S8 

Orchard  grass 98 

Orich's  Sulphur  Springs 325 

Oriskany,  position,  character,  and 

soils  of „., 56 


PAINT  CREEK  R.  R 340 
Parkersburg  Mineral  Wells 334 

Parkersburg  oil  refineries 308 

Peaches  83 

Pears  83 

Pend  eton  county,  general  descrip 
tion  of 407 

Pennsboro  &  Harrisville  R.  R 337 

PETROLEUM 305 

In  Kanawha 288 

Near  Morgantown 306 

Tseful  productions  from 309 

Peytona cannel,  oil  from 240 

PINE  -Character  and  uses  of. 

Black 133 

Yellow 132 

White  132 

Pittsburgh,  Cincinnati  it  St.  Louis 

R.  R 338 

Pittsburgh,  Wheeling  &  Bait.  R.  R.  338 
Pittsburgh,  Wheeling  &  Kentucky 

U.K. 340 

Pittsburgh  seam,  character   of  in 

different  counties 206  to  211 

Pittsburgh  seam  eastern  limit  of...  205 
Plateaux,    production    of   by    ero 
sion 15 

Pleasants  county,  general  descrip 
tion  of 408 

Poeohontas   county,    general    des 
cription  ot 408 

Poeahontas  county,  coal  in 213 

Poplar,  character  and  uses 133 

Potatoes,  Irish,  cultivation,   <fce 72 

Potatoes,  Sweet,  cultivation,  &c 72 

Potomac  &  Ohio  R.  R 310 

Potomac  coal  basin 169 

Potters'  clay 318 

Preston    countv,    general    descrip 
tion  of '. 409 

Preston  county   coal    besin,   seams 

in ." 174 

Privat"  Schools 359 

Production  salt  Kanawha  county,..  303 

Production  sail  Mason  county 276 

Public  schools   of  Wheeling 3(il 

Putnam    county,   general    descrip 
tion  ol 110 

Putnam  county,  quality  coal  in 219 


Q 


I'ALITIKS  of  good  furnace  coal  233 
Quinces 83 


INDEX. 


429 


RAIN  and  snow  at  Marietta 44 
Rainfall,  etc.,  season  average 

at  Wheeling 30 

RAINFALL,  ETC.— 

Mean  annual  at  Wheeling 30 

JVt  ean  for  year  and  seasons  at 

Kanawha  Salines 31 

Mean   for  year  and   seasons  at 

Lewisburg 31 

Mean  for  year  at  White    Sul 
phur  Springs 31 

Mean,  monthly  at  Marietta 42 

Rainy,  &c.,  days,  No.  of,  at  Wheel 
ing 30 

Raleigh   county,  general  descrip 
tion  of. 411 

Raleigh  county,  coal  in 192 

Randolph  county,  general  descrip 
tion  of. 412 

Randolph  county,  elevated  water 
shed  of 1« 

Randolph  county,  quantity  coal  in  223 

Red  Bud,  character  and  uses 135 

Red  haematites  of  the  coal  meas 
ures 203 

Redstone  seam  in  different  coun 
ties 20(5-7-9-10-11 

Red  Sulphur  Springs 332 

Ripley  &  Ohio  Narrow  Guage  R.'.R  340 
Ritchie    county,    general    descrip 
tion  of 412 

River  traiisportion., 342 

Roane  county,  general  description.  413 

Roaring  run,  coal  on 185 

Ruflher's  first  salt  Avell 2X1 

Rush  creek,  coal  on.... 194 

Rye,  cultivation,  &c 71 


SALT  PACKING 294 
Salt  transporiion 294 

Salt  wells  in  Mason 277 

Saltpetre 321 

Salt  Sulphur  Springs 332 

Sand  run,  coal  on  184 

Sandstones,  character  of  soils  of 52 

Sassafras,  character  and  uses 135 

School  lund,  how  raised 347 

School  work,  tabulated 352 

Scon's  run,  coal  on 178 

SECTION — 

Opposite  Coalburg 200 

At  Hawk's  Nest 195 

On  Paint  creek 199 

Near  Piedmont 169 

At  Quinnimont.... 190 

At  Sewell 195 

At  Wheeling 210 

Lower  coal  measures  in  Monon- 

galia 178 

Lower  coal  measures  in  Upshur  184 
Scwicklev  seam  in  different  coun 
ties 206-7-9-10-11 

Shales,  character  of  soils  of 51 

Shannondale  Springs 325 

SHEEP— 

Excellency  of  water  for 101 

Feeding    period     in      different 

States 104 

Improvement  in  breeding 109 

'Kinds  and  variety  ot  food  for...  102 

Markets  for 106 

suitableness  of  climate  for 104 

Sui  face  of  country  favorable  for  105 

Shenandoah  and.Ohio  railroad ^310 

Shenandoah  river,    improvement)*** 
of  ....  ....  346 


Shepherd's     College    and    Normal 

School 356 

Shrubs,  and  small  trees 137 

Silver 322 

Slips  or  jars 286 

Snow,  earliest,  latest  and  heaviest 

falls  of 45 

Sod,  grass  used  for 97 

Soda  ash 297 

Soda  ash,  advantages  for  making 

in  Kanawha 3UO 

Soda  ash,  importance  of 297 

SOILS  — 

Alluvial,  character  of 50 

Calcareous,  character  of. 50 

Clay,  character  of 48 

Loams,  character  of ...     49 

Sandy,  character  of 19 

Suitableness  for  sheep 101 

Sorghum,  cultivation,  ttc 74 

Sourwood,  character  mid  uses 13<> 

South  Branch  railroad 341 

SPLINT  COAL— 

Area  of 229 

For  blast  furnace  use 230 

Hardness  of. l'3(> 

In  heating  furnace 23H 

For  steam 23(i 

Supeiiority  of 230 

St.  Albaus  Seminary 340 

Sf.  Alphonsus 360 

St.  .Toseoh's  Academy 360 

State  Superintendent  of  Schools 350 

Steer  creek,  improvement  of •'!!(> 

Steer  Creek  Valley  and  Elk   River 

R.  R .".10 

Stock,  cost  of  wintering  in  differ 
ent  States 103 

Stoney  river,  coal  on 172 

Stover  Lollege :<59 

Streams,  direction  of 1 

Structure  of  southern  and  central 

portion  of  State 10 

Summers  county,  general  descrip 
tion 414 

Summers  county,  coal  in 190 

Sw.-e:  Siirings 327 

Sycamore,  character  and  uses 136 


TAYLOR-COUNTY,  general  des 
cription  of 415 

Taylor  county,  quality  of  coal  in 218 

Teachers'  fund,  how  raised 348 

Teachers' normal  schools, 361 

TEMPERATURE— Causes  influencing    25 

At  Marietta 3t 

Mean  monthly,  Lewisburg 27 

Mean   monthly,   Kanawha   Sa 
lines .; 2(i 

Mean  monthly,  Wheeling 2H 

Mean  for  seasons  at  Wheeling..    26 

Tests  of  coal  in  Chicago 219 

Thickness  coal  seams    in    Wayne 

county 228 

TIMBER— 

Distributioii"of 144 

On  Cheat  river 149 

In   Greenbrier 150 

Of  mountain  region  147 

Of  plateau  region 145 

Of  yew  pine  district 148 

Timothy ,  98 

Tobacco,  cultivation,  ttc *f75 

TOPOGRAPHICAL  character  ofCon-jj 

F.omerate 5 
lower  barrens 5 


430 


INDEX. 


TOPOGRAPHICAL 

Of  Upper  Barrens.. 5 

Of  Unibral  and  Vespertine.. 6 

Division  of  the  State 6 

TOPOGRAPHY— 

On  Green  brier  river 4 

Of  hilly  region 7 

Of  J  effe rson ,  Ac 21 

On  the  Kanuwha  river 2 

Of  the  mountain  region- 8 

On  New  river :{ 

In  North  of  State 4 

Traiisportatation 33.~> 

Tubing  lines 308 

Tu.-ker  county,  general  description 

of -]l(i 

Tucker  county,  COM!  in 213 

Tufa  .  .  312 

Tug  River  R.  K 31! 

Turnips,  cultivation,  &c 73 

Twelve  Pole,  improvement  of 3-H5 

Tygart's  Valley  river,  coal  on ISo 

Tyler  county,   general   description 

of ...  417 


TTMBRAL,  character  Of  soils  of...     f>9 
U     University  of  W.Va 357 

Upper    Coal    Measures,  principal 

coals  of 204 

Upper  Coal  Measures,  thickness  of  203 

Upshnr    county,    general    descrip 
tion  of .  . 418 

Upshur  county,   quality  coal  in ±}3 

\TALTjEYJl.  R ...  338 

>        Value  State  school  property...  3f>l 

\  esp.-rtine,  character  of  soils  of.' f>8 

Vineyards Si 

WALNUT,  black,  character  and 
uses 13(1 

Walnut,  white 137 

Washington  &  Ohio  K.  R 341 

Washington  seam  in  different 

counties 212 

Water  shed  nor  I  h  and  sout  h,  of  1  he 

rotate I 

Wayne  count  \  general  description 

of 418 

Wayne  county,  thickness  of  coal 

seams 22* 


Waynesbnrg  seam  in  different 

count  irs 207-9-10-11 

Webster  county,  general  descrip 
tion  of.. 119 

West  Fork  cv  \VesIoii  R.  R 342 

West  Liberty  Normal  School ;>">7 

\V  KST    VlWil  N-JA- 

Railroad 341 

<  entral  R.  R 341 

Division  of  People's  Freight  R.R  312 
(  oaltield,   advantages   of   locat 
ing  in 24H 

Coaitield,  counties  without  coal  lt>3 

Kustern  boundary  of 164' 

General  sketch    of Itii 

i  Relation   of  Ohio  riv«  r  tw Jtif) 

\\'etxei  county,  general  description 

of 420 

Wheat,  cultivation,  <fcc B8 

Wheeling  Female  College 35!) 

Wheeling. manufactures  and  gen 
eral  descript  ion  of. 397  to  407 

White  Sulphur  Springs 328 

Williams  river,  coal  on, 193 

Willow,  white,  character  and  uses..  137 
WINDS— 

Direction  at  Marietta 37 

Effect  011  weather 2S 

'.  u-neral  direction    and  charac 
ter  of 24 

Prevailing  at  Wheeling 30 

Relative  frequency  at  Marietta    3s 
Relation    of    direction    to    fair 

weath(vr 41 

Relation  oi  direction  to  rain 40 

Relation  of  direction  to  temper 
ature  38 

Wirt  county  general  description  of  421 

Wool,  facilities  for  exporting 105 

Wool,  facilities  for  manufactories...  ion 

Wool,  rank  of  West  Virginia 110 

Wood    county,  general  Description 

of 422 

Woodland, acreage  in  West  Va 88 

Wyoming  county,  general  dexcrip- 

lion'of 423 

Wyoming  county,  coal  in 193 


821 


V 


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